The national leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG has condemned, in strong terms, the torture, inhuman, and degrading treatment meted out to two of its members in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Sunday, February 25, 2024, by overzealous men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In a statement, PTD National Chairman, Comrade Lucky Osesua, his deputy Comrade Dayyabu Garga, and the National Secretary, Comrade Humble Obinna Power on Friday, called on the Federal Government, National Assembly, security authorities, particularly the Commandant, Imo State Command of the NSCDC, Police, Department of State Security (DSS), and the state government, to urgently look into the situation and help to guarantee the safety and protection of its members on wheels even as they seek justice.
The affected truck carries the number plate AXB 605ZH.
It also added that PTD as a law-abiding trade union was fully in support of a clampdown on criminal elements who had developed a penchant for illegal oil bunkering and other unlawful activities that promote economic sabotage in the country.
PTD however noted that incessant harassment and bullying of its members would no longer be tolerated, adding that their members had suffered one harassment too many in the hands of several state and non-state actors and that the menace should forthwith be stopped in the interest of industrial peace, harmony and tranquility.
The oil workers’ body, in the statement, also expressed heartfelt sympathy to the affected victims, while also assuring them of the preservation of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the laws of Nigeria.
It said it was committed to ensuring justice in the unfortunate incident.
The statement reads: ”We received with rude shock, the sad news of torture, the inhuman and degrading treatment meted on two of our members in Owerri, Imo State capital on Sunday, February 25, 2024, by overzealous men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), while carrying out their legitimate and constitutionally backed duties. This dastardly act put the affected drivers into a subconscious state for several hours leaving many to think they were already dead. The affected truck is with registration number AXB 605ZH.
“Similarly, the video evidence of the unfortunate incident which had gone viral on social media really put us into serious emotional trauma, discontent, and great disappointment. It is more appalling to realize that the callous treatment meted on these tanker drivers on wheels simply occurred because they refused to give the NSCDC officers money and after much argument, the operatives brazenly beat them up to stupor.
“The circumstances surrounding the humiliation of these enthusiastic and vibrant men are completely condemnable, as the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG vehemently frowns at it.
“Although our investigation revealed that the distressed men were swiftly rushed to the hospital and we thank God they subsequently regained their consciousness. Later in the evening these recuperating drivers still managed to drive the loaded truck to its designated destination. Our members who were on the ground further confirmed that some personnel of the NSCDC came to empathize with them and as well footed their hospital bills.
“We are however surprised that the much-publicised health insurance scheme by our parent union (NUPENG) had no significant effect on the lives of these affected members who were faced with a life-threatening situation while on wheels. This again justified our claim ab initio that the scheme was not well thought out by the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale who was the chief promoter of the scheme. The experience of Sunday afternoon overtly dampened the morale of tanker drivers in Nigeria in the face of injustice, intimidation, extortion, assaults, verbal attacks, victimisation, and callous treatment.
“We equally found it laughable to see NUPENG recording another leadership and managerial indiscretion by writing a misleading letter to the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical, (DPRP), lbeju-Lekki, Lagos, by parading an impostor as the National Chairman of PTD Branch, this is contemptuous and very ridiculous and we humbly implore every stakeholder in the downstream petroleum sector, including the security agencies to take that with a pinch of salt and never allow NUPENG pull the wool over their eyes. There is a clear distinction between sentiments and the position of law which is yet to be understood by the General Secretary and the President of NUPENG. Today by the grace of God, the leadership and legitimacy of the PTD branch are unequivocally in the hands of Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Dayyabu Garga.
“While we call for calm and orderliness among our members in Port Harcourt Zone of our union, particularly Imo State where the Sunday crime took place, we equally urge Federal Government, National Assembly, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, the Imo State Command of the NSCDC, DSS, and Police to show compassion and support for our members and never see us as enemies to the government but as stakeholders who want Nigeria to work socio-economically. In addition, we also urgently seek justice and commensurate compensation for these promising young men whose lives were exposed to jeopardy.
“PTD strongly discourages any involvement in criminal activities, as the leadership of PTD under the control of Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Dayyabu Garga will never tolerate any form of injustice against our hard-working, committed, and law-abiding members whose primary role is to ensure continuous lifting and distribution of petroleum products across Nigeria for industrial, commercial and domestic uses. None of us should be victims of such a tragic fate. The apex body of the blue-collar oil and gas workers is committed to ensuring justice in this tragic incident.”
