The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Adamawa/Taraba chapter has announced its decision to continue its ongoing strike, despite petrol prices soaring to N2,000 per litre.
IPMAN Chairman Alhaji Dahiru Buba disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Tuesday.
He explained that the strike was a response to the persistent harassment of IPMAN members and the illegal seizure of their petrol tankers by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Buba accused customs officers of neglecting their duties at the borders and instead targeting legitimate businesses in urban and local areas.
He stated that these actions have caused financial losses, artificial scarcity, and price hikes in petrol, and that the strike will continue until the NCS halts these practices.
The strike has led to significant disruptions, with NAN reporting a noticeable decrease in vehicular traffic due to the high cost of petrol.
Abubakar Muhammed, a local resident, shared with NAN that the sharp rise in transport fares has made it difficult for workers and commuters to reach their destinations, with fares increasing from N300 to N700 per trip.
Most fuel stations in Yola are closed, forcing motorists to rely on black markets for petrol.
This situation follows a statement by the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, on June 10, where he called for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in combating petrol smuggling.
Adeniyi emphasized that smuggling petroleum products undermines Nigeria’s economy and urged Nigerians to collaborate with security agencies to address the issue. (NAN)
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