The Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd. (NNPCL) has moved to debunk claims that it had imported more than 200mn litres of petrol this month.

Referring to the allegations, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye called the claims “lazy and unprofessional journalism” and a “deliberate, sponsored attempt by economic saboteurs to mislead the public.”

He also stressed that the claims were “completely false, baseless, and a reckless misrepresentation of facts.”

Soneye’s statement continued to note that the NNPCL had not imported any petrol this year, and that the company did not control the import activities of private marketers, nor did it issue import licences. Attributing all Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) “imports to NNPC is not just misleading—it is outright deceptive and irresponsible journalism that ignores basic fact-checking principles,” he added.

The official added that there was no legal barrier preventing the NNPCL importing petrol if it decided to do so, and that the NNPCL had a ‘duty’ to ensure energy security in the case of any supply shortages arising.

“NNPC Limited retains the full right and responsibility to step in and import to stabilize the market,” he said.

Furthermore, the spokesperson noted that the NNPCL “condemned” the spread of misinformation due to the fact it would mislead important stakeholders and the public, with the company cementing its position on the matter by clarifying that it would be taking legal action against the entities responsible for spreading “false and malicious reports” aimed at “undermining [its] reputation”.

Concluding the matter, the statement suggested that the media adhered to “established fact-checking principles” when reporting on industry matters.

This particular statement is the second such rebuke administered by the NNPCL in the space of a week, with the company also having debunked rumours that the company’s 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri refinery had closed due to an explosion last week.

The unexpected closure of the plant (shut for routine maintenance) led to some claiming that an explosion had occurred, however, Soneye similarly dismissed these rumours, calling them “completely false”.

He continued to clarify the remark, saying: “On January 25, 2025, operations at WRPC Area 1 were deliberately halted to conduct essential maintenance on select equipment, including field instruments affecting steady operations”.