IPMAN Condemns Military Operations in Ibaka, Demands Immediate Action

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Oron Chapter, has condemned recent military operations in the Ibaka area, which have severely disrupted local businesses. During a press briefing held today, Deacon Otuakak Emenyi, Chapter Chairman of IPMAN Oron, detailed the negative impacts of the Joint Task Force's Operation Delta Safe on the community.

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, troops invaded filling stations in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area (L.G.A.), seizing substantial quantities of petroleum products and impounding vehicles. The confiscated items include 44 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 2 drums of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and two trucks each containing 45,000 liters of PMS.

The breakdown of the seized items from specific stations includes:
- Defamous station: 4 drums of PMS and 2 drums of AGO
- Super King station: 5 drums of PMS
- Godsflower station: 2 drums of PMS
- Eyotech Oil: 14 drums of PMS and 1 truck of 45,000 liters PMS
- Owo station: 19 drums of PMS
- Handicap station: 1 truck of 45,000 liters PMS

Deacon Emenyi emphasized the critical role fuel plays in the lives of Ibaka's fishermen, who rely on PMS for their outboard engines, and for upland residents who need it to power their motorcycles and vehicles. He argued that the military’s actions have wrongly implicated petroleum marketers as collaborators in fuel smuggling, a responsibility that lies with designated security agencies.

"It is the duty of the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Marine Police to monitor the use of fuel purchased by the fishermen and ensure it is not smuggled," Emenyi stated. He criticized the military for abandoning their primary duties and instead harassing legitimate business owners.

The situation is compounded by a recent kidnapping incident involving the Paramount Ruler of the area, His Royal Majesty Ogwong Okon Asukwo Abang, and the shooting of his wife, Her Royal Majesty Obonganwan Hannah Okon Abang. IPMAN criticized the Joint Task Force for failing to address this security breach while focusing on petroleum marketers.

IPMAN has called for the immediate release of all seized petroleum products and the unsealing of affected filling stations. They demand the return of two impounded trucks, valued at over thirty-six million Naira for the PMS and about fifty million Naira for the trucks themselves.

Deacon Emenyi warned that if these demands are not met within seven days, IPMAN members will shut down all petrol stations and selling points in the Oron Federal constituency, affecting five local government areas.

"The dwindling economy has already created unimaginable setbacks, and this action has further frustrated legitimate business operators and residents. We demand fair treatment for petroleum marketers in Ibaka," Emenyi concluded.

The press briefing ended with a strong call to the authorities to resolve the issue promptly to prevent further economic disruption in the region.

Look the environment

Jigawa have no oil but cannot be like this.

The way military men especially infantry is constituting nuisance since Tinubu was sworn in is becoming too alarming.

This guys have become a menace , and a pain to Nigerians. And the reason the government have refused to address the lawlessness of Nigeria army is very disgusting.

For those of you calling for military coup, are you now seeing how lawless their government will be? Under democratic government,look at how they are constituting nuisance unchecked. Just imagine what will happen if they take over government

Ogwong or Okwong?

Oro does not smuggle fuel. There are fishing ports around, that the fishermen living in those ports would come and buy fuel in drums to help them power their outboard engines and can last for weeks or so before they restock.
Military coming to consficate their fuel is making the poor fishermen to be more poorer