By Our Reporter
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has directed its members to withdraw their services from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) loading depot in Enugu.
The National President of IPMAN, Alhaji Sanusi Fari disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Enugu.
Fari said that the directive was in response to an alleged attack and invasion of the IPMAN secretariat in Enugu depot on Thursday by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The president said that such invasion and attack was carried out with impunity and against a subsisting court order.
“Sequel to this ugly development, the National Executive Committee of IPMAN has resolved and directed the withdrawal of our services at Enugu loading depot with immediate effect.
“This will stop our services to members of the public in Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi from Sept. 17 until the police illegality is reversed,” Fari said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu Command, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said that there was neither a blockade nor an attack on the IPMAN secretariat in Enugu by police operatives from the command.
Ndukwe, rather, said that detectives from Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Abuja were on investigation trip to the IPMAN office.
He said that the detectives came to serve IPMAN officials invitation over a court matter.
Recall that the South-East is currently grappling with the acute shortage of petroleum products following the strike by petroleum tanker drivers in the area.
The situation has increased the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the area as a liter currently sales between N250 and N300 in most petrol stations.
