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NNPC, IPMAN Partner Against Fuel Scarcity …NUPENG Seeks FG’s Intervention On Product Import Delay
There are indications that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has formed a new alliance with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) against scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.
The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) had earlier warned that Nigeria will run out of fuel in five days due to acute shortage of products from the delay in the first quarter fuel allocation by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulating Agency (PPPRA).
The duo of NNPC and IPMAN, have however, debunked the statement as misleading, advising the public to avoid panic buying.
IPMAN’s National President, Aminu Abdulkadri, who made the new alliance with the NNPC known at a media briefing, on Monday, denounced the rumour of proposed fuel scarcity, warning marketers against causing panic.
“We are lodging petroleum products adequately from all NNPC depots across the country and we don’t think there is any proposed scarcity because NNPC and PPMC have assured us of sufficient stock in the country,” Abdulkadiri said.
In spite of the unending challenges posed by pipeline vandalism and product theft in the country, he said, the NNPC and its subsidiary have sufficient stock of products in their marine reserve and national strategic reserve to ensure that the country remains wet with petroleum products round the clock.
He cautioned members of the public against any form of hoarding or panic buying of petroleum products in anticipation of scarcity.
“The fuel situation in the country is quite stable; no cause for alarm, this smooth supply of products had been sustained for a period of two-years.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, through the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, and the Managing Director, PPMC, Mr Haruna Momoh in conjunction with IPMAN president, we have been working tirelessly in ensuring we maintain the tempo,” he said.
According to Abdulkadri, “l want to assure our members that there is no cause for alarm, we need to step up our bridging in areas where products supply is lacking, and we should augment, because vandalisation of the products pipelines had been a serious menace in the country.
“NNPC, PPMC and the leadership of IPMAN have been on top of the situation; we should not encourage anybody that will portray the country bad by saying we are running out of fuel.
“What we have in the country currently is adequate. And we have equally agreed with the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) to ensure payment of marketers’ bridging claims as at when due, which at the moment, the agency is doing its best.
The IPMAN boss said that in furtherance to the realisation of democracy dividends by the Federal Government, the petroleum minister has agreed to sustain the supply of kerosene direct to Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to step in and ensure timely approval of importation of petroleum products.
The Lagos Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, Mr Tokunbo Korodo, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
The call by NUPENG is coming on the heels of similar appeals by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and other interest groups in the oil sector.
“The danger in the delay is that it will cause artificial scarcity when you are not allocating as at when due.
“There is no way the distribution chain will not be disrupted and when the distribution chain is disrupted, it is going to affect the loading system at the depot.’’
According to him, if the loading system is affected there is nothing anybody can do about it.
“If it is not properly handled, then Nigerians will have to be on queue for hours before they get fuel.
Korodo said that although the year could be challenging for government because of the 2015 elections, priority must be given to things that must be done
“Government should be more proactive and do the right thing at the right time.
“We know that it is more challenging for government this time around but whatever they have to do to sustain the supply of petroleum product must be done.
“ I know this year is the year of politics but they should not abandon their responsibilities.
“They should face the primary assignment they canvassed for before they were elected into office,’’ he said.
Our Correspondent reports that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has yet to give approval for the importation of petroleum products this year.
PPPRA gives the approval every quarter.
The non-release of the approval had apparently rattled oil marketers, who expressed fear that the country may be in for another round of acute fuel scarcity.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured that fuel scarcity crisis was not about to occur in the country.
Oil-producing Nigeria has often faced fuel scarcity crisis but the administration of President Goodluck appears to have checked the problem in recent times.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor