The cat and mouse scenario playing out between the Department of Petroleum Resources and a faction of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria in Kwara State may have taken a new turn following the reported redeployment of the Operation Controller of the department, Mr Salvation Philip, from the state.

The purported transfer was predicated on his style of operation and his insistence of institutionalizing sanity and due process in the sale of petroleum products in the state.

He insisted that a litre of fuel otherwise known as premium motor spirit be sold at N86.50k as directed by the Federal Government.

His leadership style and mode of operation has not gone down well with the members of IPMAN, which resulted in strained relationship between the two. The development also sparked threats and other forms of intimidation for official of the department by some unidentified people suspected to be acting at the behest of fuel marketers.

Security agencies in the state including the police reportedly summoned the leadership of IPMAN to explain the rationale behind the threat to life of top officials of the DPR.

But Salvation Philip told The Herald exclusively on telephone yesterday that there was never a time the Head Office of the department in Abuja recalled him out of the state.

He said to the best of his knowledge, he had maintained his policy that the product getting to final consumers through marketers must be of quality, quantity and dispensed in line with the government's approved price.

However, the DPR boss noted that his alleged transfer outside Kwara State was a figment of imagination of the masterminds, saying he remains committed to transparency and due process.

The Herald recalls that for the past few days, the Head of Operations of the state DPR, Mr Oyedele Ibitayo, had been acting in the absence of Mr Philip, which consequently generated suspicion within the independent fuel marketers that they might have succeeded in forcing Philip to throw in the towel.

Members of IPMAN loyal to Mr Olanrewaju Okanlawon, a factional chairman in the state, were said to have been thrown into jubilation following a report that Mr Philip had been redeployed to Abuja.

His 'non-readiness' to play ball was said to have provoked unnamed powers that be within the ring of fuel marketers to edge the DPR boss out of office. The department, in company of security operatives, fortnight ago embarked on sealing of some filling stations owned by private marketers for flouting petroleum laws. About four stations were sanctioned in the exercise. But in what could be likened to a dramatic scene, factional members of IPMAN led by Okanlawon, immediately unsealed the stations, citing high-handedness and the refusal of the agency to understand their plight.

He told reporters that it was impossible for fuel marketers to sell at N86.50k due to the price they got the product at private depots. Following the seeming showdown, independent fuel marketers in the state have been selling fuel at N130 per litre, except major marketers that continued selling at government's official price.

The DPR, however dismissed the claim as unfounded, saying it would not allow the fuel marketers to hide under the excuse and fleece unsuspecting members of the public.

The DPR operation controller said he would not because of pressure and several threats by the fuel marketers neglect his legitimate duty of ensuring that consumers have value for the money they spend in buying petroleum products.

Philip said, "I would not because of the threats by these people abandon my duty. It is a matter of what is provided for in the law. Although, I have personally received threats to my life. We cannot let these people do as they wish. They are good at cheating, adulterating and other unlawful acts, just to satisfy their own selfish end while members of the public are left to suffer.

"We have reported them to security agencies in the state and they are doing all that is possible to make sure that those involved are dealt with. On the rumour that he had been redeployed to Abuja, "To the best of my knowledge, I'm still in Kwara as operation controller. I was only away for 10 days on official assignment. I'll be resuming in the next few days. So, there is no need for anxiety anywhere. I know these people orchestrated this thing for them to continue the way they have been doing it.

"The Federal Government has not deregulated the downstream of oil, and they cannot sell at their own convenient prices. We have rules and regulations in this country, which must be obeyed regardless of who you are. You can't be above the law, that is what we are saying", Philip said.

Meanwhile, The Herald learnt at the weekend that the department may stop recognizing the fuel marketers under the aegis of IPMAN as a group. It was gathered that the move was as a result of the lawlessness displayed by the association.

The Herald correspondent exclusively learnt that since the state leadership of the association was still in crisis, there was no need to entertain factions. Three factions were said to have emerged in the state chapter of IPMAN. One faction is led by Abdulrasheed Olopade while another is chaired by Olanrewaju Okanlawon.