Over 1,800 Northeast petrol stations closed over petrol smuggling row with Customs

In protest of the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) anti-smuggling operation that targeted certain operators, some 1,800 gas stations in northeastern Nigeria were closed.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Chairman for the states of Taraba and Adamawa stated as much on Monday. As a result, drivers were compelled to buy petrol on the illegal market

Dahiru Buba, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for Adamawa and Taraba states, said that petrol stations ceased operations after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) impounded tanker trucks and closed several petrol stations on suspicion of smuggling petrol to neighbouring Cameroon.

Under “Operation Whirlwind,” Nigeria Customs initially impounded some tanker trucks belonging to IPMAN members but released them after the association protested. However, more trucks were subsequently seized, and several fuel stations were shut down, prompting fuel station operators to close their outlets en-masse in protest, according to Buba.

He stated, “We wrote to them (Nigeria Customs) again but there were no responses that is why we decided to go on strike. Over 1,800 outlets have ceased to operate for now. This is our business, and we cannot be quiet when our members are treated this way.”

Mangsi Lazarus, the Customs spokesperson for Adamawa and Taraba, stated that tanker trucks were seized because they were being used to smuggle petrol.

In Yola, the capital of Adamawa, black market traders quickly exploited the shortages, selling petrol for 1,400 naira ($0.9459) per liter, compared to the regular pump price of 650 to 750 naira.