Petroleum product marketers have raised alarm over the alleged harassment of tanker drivers by Lagos State Government officials, warning of imminent fuel scarcity.
This dispute has led to the shutdown of several Petroleum filling stations across Lagos on Monday, and threats of a wider South-West shutdown if seized tankers are not released. The situation has also prompted warnings of a potential nationwide cooking gas scarcity due to similar issues.
The core of the issue lies in the alleged impounding of 30 tankers loaded with 45,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit by the Lagos State Government. These tankers were reportedly seized from a park near the Dangote refinery in the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The incident, which occurred around 2 am on Saturday, has led to a halt in fuel loading by tanker drivers, who fear further harassment and arrests.
Hammed Fashola, National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), condemned the government’s actions, stating that many of the seized trucks and the fuel they carry belong to IPMAN members. He criticized the lack of dialogue between the government and stakeholders, particularly regarding the enforcement of the e-call-up system. Fashola argued that the government should have provided an alternative parking space for the tankers before enforcing restrictions.
Fashola warned that the continued inability of tanker drivers to transport fuel would inevitably lead to scarcity. He acknowledged that while filling stations were still operational, their stocks would soon deplete. He questioned the government’s approach, suggesting that a more reasonable course of action would have been to engage in discussions rather than seizing the trucks. He also raised concerns over the safety of the loaded trucks, especially the risk of explosions.
In response, the Lagos State Government, through a statement by Bolanle Ogunlola, Deputy Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Transport, stated that 11 trucks were apprehended due to non-compliance with the e-call-up system. The government alleged that its officials were attacked during the enforcement, leading to arrests. They emphasized that the enforcement of the e-call-up system would fully commence on March 1, 2025, and warned stakeholders against further violations.
Adding to the tension, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has warned of a looming cooking gas scarcity due to illegal levies imposed on petroleum product trucks by Lagos State agencies. NALPGAM President Abideen Olatunbosun stated that these levies have paralyzed loading activities at the Dangote Refinery since February 22, 2025. He called for urgent intervention from the Lagos State authorities and the Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources to avert a crisis.
Olatunbosun highlighted that the ongoing strike by truck drivers could reverse the recent stability in cooking gas prices, which had seen a significant decrease following interventions and increased supply. He emphasized the need for the government to address the issue promptly to prevent widespread scarcity and its detrimental impact on the economy and households.
The South-West Zone of IPMAN has also threatened to shut down operations across the region if the seized tankers are not released. IPMAN Western Zone Chairman, Joseph Akanni, expressed solidarity with the tanker drivers and other stakeholders. Similarly, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, Yusuf Othman, criticized the alleged extortion of tanker owners and drivers by Lagos State officials, questioning the seizure of trucks before the official commencement of the e-call-up system.
