President Muhammadu Buhari Friday instructed the management of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to fish out all the members who are smuggling petroleum products to neighbouring countries.

The President while hosting the leadership of the association at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, tasked them to fully collaborate with government by uncovering the criminals.

“We all know this illegal smuggling of products out of Nigeria is a threat to our national economy and security and must be stopped. I therefore want to urge all IPMAN members to remain committed to complying with the laws and regulations that govern the Nigerian oil and gas sector,” he said.

The president commended members of the association for their contributions to ensuring that Nigerians had adequate supply of petroleum products throughout last year.

He said his administration would fully support their mission to establish a refinery in the country.

IPMAN president, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, commended Buhari for halting corruption in petroleum products distribution.

“This new working environment is inspiring more investment by IPMAN members and we are further emboldened to establish a refinery in the near future with your support,” he said, adding that the association had endorsed Buhari’s second term bid.