The Dangote Petroleum Refinery says it has not received any payment from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for refined petroleum products.

In a statement on Thursday, Anthony Chiejina, the company’s group chief branding and communications officer, told IPMAN that the refinery cannot be held accountable for payments made to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), adding that no approval has been received from the national oil firm on the sale of petrol to marketers.

On October 29, Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), said the refinery currently holds over 500 million litres of petrol, but oil marketers are not buying the product.

In a counter-response, the IPMAN said its members had been unable to load petrol from the Dangote refinery for days.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on October 30, Abubakar Garima, IPMAN’s president, said the association has paid N40 billion to the NNPC, but still cannot source the product.

In the refinery’s latest statement, the organisation said it currently has no direct dealings with IPMAN.

“Although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them,” the refinery said.

“Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.

“The payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us.

“In the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved nor authorised us to release our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN.”

Dangote refinery reiterated its ability to meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel.

The Chiejina said the refinery is capable of loading 2,900 trucks per day and has also been evacuating petroleum products by sea.

He advised IPMAN to register with the refinery directly and make direct payments, noting that there is “more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members”.

“It is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Chiejina said.

The company also encouraged all stakeholders to collaborate and heed Tinubu’s advice, promoting a unified approach rather than engaging in media conflicts and unnecessary propaganda.

On October 10, IPMAN had asked the NNPC to sell PMS to its marketers at the Dangote refinery rate or refund the oil marketers’ money.

During the television programme, the president of IPMAN said the marketers’ monies have been with the national oil company for three months.

1. The Police in Edo State have confirmed the death of five and the arrest of one person in connection with food poisoning at Afashio-Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area. Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the food poisoning occurred on October 26, causing panic among residents.

2. Oyo State Police Command has confirmed 10 persons dead and eight others injured when a building collapsed in Jegede, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. Oyo Police spokesman, Adewale Osifeso made this known in a statement.

3. The National Economic Council (NEC) has recommended the withdrawal of the Tax Reforms Bill from the National Assembly to President Bola Tinubu to allow for wider consultations. Disclosing this to journalists at the end of the 145th NEC meeting at the State House, Abuja, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said this formed part of resolutions reached at the meeting.

4. Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said he will take the responsibility for any poorly constructed roads in the country under the current administration. Umahi explained that the federal government had no excuse not to finish the road projects embarked upon, noting that the ministry was not afraid to wield the ‘big stick’ by terminating the contracts of any erring companies.

5. The National Economic Council (NEC), on Thursday, disclosed that about 34 states, 217 local government areas were affected by the recent flooding in the country, adding that 321 persons also lost their lives. The Council also said 1,374,557 persons were affected, 740,743 displaced nationwide while 2,854 persons were injured and 281,000 houses, 258,000 cultivated farmlands were also destroyed by the ravaging flood.

6. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says a former minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Betta Edu, is still under the investigation of the anti-graft agency despite permanently exiting the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.

7. Governors of the 36 states of the federation have expressed dismay over the lingering crisis in the petroleum industry, saying it is shameful that despite being a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria still imports petrol. Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, made the expression while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

8. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau found the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed last Thursday into the Atlantic Ocean while conveying workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited from Port Harcourt. This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, on Thursday.

9. The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Danladi Isa, on Thursday, confirmed the death of an employee of a new generation bank identified as Mr. Victor Udensi and two others in Umuahia, assuring that the perpetrators would soon be brought to book.

10. No fewer than 15 people were reportedly killed in a renewed attack by gunmen suspected to be armed herders at Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. The attackers were reported to have invaded the town on Wednesday around 6:32 pm killing people.

Deji Adeyanju, the Nigerian lawyer, says the police have detained VeryDarkMan, the social media critic.

In a Twitter post on Thursday evening, the lawyer said the activist, born Martins Otse, was detained after honouring the police invitation.

Adeyanju lamented that his client was taken into custody despite cooperating with the police authorities.

“Our client, VDM has been detained after honouring police invitation just like yesterday. VDM who has been consistent in saying the Nigerian Police are our friends even when we all know they are not,” the tweet reads.

The development comes after VeryDarkMan shared a video of himself in a matching suit. In the footage, he said he was heading to the police station in Abuja to respond to the invitation.

Trouble began when VeryDarkMan wore a police uniform and introduced himself as the “chief superintendent of police (CSP) of the online division”.

The police said it would launch an investigation to determine the source of the police gear used and the authority under which the activist acted.

VeryDarkMan would later apologise to the police while emphasizing that he didn’t intend to impersonate the law enforcement agency.

The fitness expert had also revealed that he returned from the police station where he was interrogated based on the controversial footage.

The police have yet to confirm VeryDarkMan’s detention or provide further details.