Adamawa State council of Nigeria Union of Journalist, (NUJ) has called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to sheath their swords as IPMAN’s closure of filling stations in Adamawa State entered day two.
A statement by the secretary of the council, Fidelis Jockthan said the situation has imperiled lives and livelihoods since the association downed tools on Monday.
“The attention of Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Adamawa state Council has been drawn to the industrial action embarked upon by Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Adamawa State beginning from 24th June 2024.
“The IPMAN amongst the reasons adduced for the action are; illegal and unlawful arrest, impoundment of tanker trucks, sealing of Petrol stations unlawfully by men of the Nigerian Customs Service Special Operations Whirlwind in the state.
“In enforcing the industrial action, the IPMAN went round and shut down all filling stations across Adamawa state causing total scarcity of the product amid economic hardship prevailing in the country.
“The NUJ being the watch dog of the society though viewed the action of IPMAN as legal, but untimely and counter productive as the situation is biting harder on people of the state.
Both IPMAN and Customs authorities should come to the negotiating table with a view to resolving the crisis within 24 hours,” the statement said.
The union also call on the state government to rise up to the situation and ensure an amicable resolution of the impasse in the interest of peace and progress of the state.
