The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Southwest Zone, has issued a warning that it will halt operations across the region if the Lagos State government does not release 30 impounded fuel tankers.
Speaking in Ibadan on Monday, IPMAN Western Zone Chairman, Joseph Akanni, condemned the seizure of the tankers and expressed the association’s solidarity with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and other industry stakeholders.
“Injury to one is an injury to all,” Akanni declared.
He revealed that the 30 tankers, each carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, were removed from Dangote Refinery around 3:00 AM on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The tankers and their drivers were subsequently taken into custody by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and detained at its Oshodi yard.
“So, IPMAN is in solidarity with the PTD, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and NUPENG is showing solidarity with the other stakeholders to take action against Lagos State government, especially the Ministry of Transport,” Akanni stated.
He criticized the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation’s actions, describing them as illegal and hazardous.
“What the Ministry of Transport has done is against the law. It is dangerous. It is dangerous to keep tankers with petrol in a place because petrol is flammable. And the information reaching us is that they have started siphoning petrol from the tankers, which implies that we won’t have the same quantity as when it was towed.” he said
Akanni warned that if the issue is not resolved, IPMAN will shut down petrol stations across the Southwest in protest.
“We are giving stern warning that if there is any fire incident, Lagos State government is going to be responsible for the loss of products and the deaths,” he cautioned.
He also noted that proper safety procedures were ignored, stating, “Even if a truck with petrol is arrested, the tanker is supposed to go and offload the petrol first, before anything. So, now they took the tankers with about 45,000 litres of petrol, numbering about 30, which is very dangerous.”
IPMAN insists that the detained fuel belongs to its members and supports the stance of NUPENG on the matter.
