Nzeuzor Jane, Port-Harcourt
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to the police, demanding an end to harassment of its members.
The chairman of IPMAN in Rivers State Dr Joseph Obele in an interview with our reporter said the continuous harassment and intimidation of elected up members of the association by the police at the unions Secretariat in Eleme is unacceptable.
Dr Joseph Obele however said that the union will be left with no option than to stop the lifting of petroleum products in Rivers State.
Dr Joseph Obele explained that, officers in Nigerian police who claimed to have a directive of a particular DIG Abuja, are harassing and intimidating the authentic elected leadership of IPMAN, in collaboration with some miscreants who are not even members of IPMAN. He however said that IPMAN can no longer tolerate that.
The chairman of IPMAN in Rivers State Dr Joseph Obele revealed that their national president Engineer Fari Sanusi has directed them to remain calm and peaceful. Dr Joseph Obele said they shall continue with loading activities and dispensing to the general public.
The chairman of IPMAN in Rivers State however call on the intervention of the governor of Rivers State, Inspector General of Police, Rivers State Commissioner of police, and the director of DSS to withdraw such officers of the Nigeria Police within 48 hours from their Secretariat.
He further stressed that they shall be left with no choice than to withdraw their services as soon as possible if urgent intervention is not taken.