By Dansu Peter The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has expressed deep frustration over the continued closure...
By Dansu Peter
Since 2019, these filling stations have remained shut following the Federal Government’s directive to curb fuel smuggling into neighboring countries. However, with subsidy now abolished and fuel prices skyrocketing, IPMAN argues that the ban has outlived its purpose, crippling legitimate businesses and leaving thousands unemployed.
Despite appeals from marketers, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has doubled down on its stance, maintaining that the stations will remain shut as part of its ongoing Operation Whirlwind—an initiative aimed at cracking down on smugglers.
According to Punch, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada reinforced this position, stating:
"We will not allow fuel to get out of Nigeria illegally. Our operations in Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, and Seme are yielding results, and we are actively prosecuting smugglers."
He emphasized that the scarcity of petrol in Niger Republic, where prices have soared to N8,000 per litre, makes it even more crucial to prevent smuggling activities along the border.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to tackle smuggling, IPMAN has rejected the prolonged ban, insisting that Nigerians living in border towns should not be punished for the actions of smugglers.
Speaking with Punch on the matter, IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, described the closure as unfair and economically devastating:
"Over 400 filling stations have been shut for six years, leading to the loss of billions of naira in investment and thousands of jobs. This policy has achieved its objective, and with subsidy gone, it should be lifted."
He further argued that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) does not empower Customs to seal filling stations permanently. Instead, their role should be to intercept illegal fuel shipments at the border, not to shut down licensed businesses.
The impact of the ban has been devastating on border communities like Badagry, where residents struggle with fuel scarcity and skyrocketing transportation costs. With no functioning filling stations, they are forced to travel long distances to purchase fuel at exorbitant prices.
Meanwhile, Niger Republic, which once relied on smuggled Nigerian petrol for half of its consumption, is now in economic turmoil. The country’s only refinery in Zinder is unable to meet domestic demand, leaving businesses and transportation systems in crisis.
IPMAN is calling on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to urgently review the policy and allow filling stations in Badagry and other border towns to resume operations.
"The government should strengthen security measures instead of shutting down businesses. Let Customs do their job at the border, but let legal marketers operate freely," Ukadike stated.
As fuel scarcity continues to cripple economic activities in these communities, industry stakeholders warn that maintaining the ban could deepen the hardship and insecurity in border regions.
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