Nigerian Petroleum Marketers Challenge Dangote Refinery To Show Evidence Of Sabotage, Smuggling
Depot and petroleum marketers demand verifiable proof after Dangote Refinery accused some industry players of attempting to sabotage the refinery’s operations and divert products abroad.
Overview: The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) — speaking for hundreds of depot owners and marketers — has publicly challenged the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to present verifiable evidence after the refinery accused industry players of sabotage, hoarding and smuggling refined products abroad.
What the marketers are saying
In a strongly worded statement, DAPPMAN rejected allegations that its members were complicit in diverting fuel to neighbouring countries or sabotaging refinery operations. The association demanded that Dangote either produce documented proof of diversion and smuggling or retract the allegations within a seven-day ultimatum, warning that it would pursue legal action if the matter was not resolved.
Dangote’s position and the genesis of the row
Dangote Refinery, which began ramping up supply to the domestic market earlier this year, had publicly accused some industry actors — including unions and importers — of working to frustrate its distribution plans and of engaging in practices that facilitate cross-border diversion. The refinery also framed the dispute around pricing and market access, saying certain practices enable arbitrage that takes product out of the Nigerian market to higher-priced foreign markets.
Responses and reactions
Industry unions and some marketers have denied the accusations. NUPENG and DAPPMAN representatives described the claims as misleading and politically charged, and have called for facts and evidence to be made public. Meanwhile, stakeholders in the sector have urged regulatory agencies to investigate the matter transparently to prevent escalation and to protect supply stability.
Why this matters
The dispute comes at a sensitive moment for Nigeria’s downstream market: the recent reconfiguration of supply dynamics following the commissioning of the Dangote refinery has altered market behaviour, pricing and distribution channels. Allegations of sabotage and smuggling risk disrupting distribution networks and raising the cost of compliance for retailers — with direct implications for consumers and government revenue.
Background context
The Dangote refinery is one of the world’s largest single-train refineries and has been at the centre of several industry disputes since it began operations — including questions about crude sourcing, export flows and the impact on independent marketers. Historically, fuel diversion across West African borders has been a persistent challenge for regulators and market participants, particularly where price differentials exist across neighbouring states.
Possible outcomes
If Dangote supplies verifiable evidence of diversion or smuggling involving named actors, investigations and sanctions could follow, potentially including seizures, licence reviews and criminal probes. Conversely, if the refinery fails to substantiate its claims, DAPPMAN and others may pursue defamation or other legal remedies and demand a public retraction, which could further sour relations in the sector.