Human Rights Group Urges IG to Wade into Ejigbo PTD Matter

Sunday Okobi

The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) yesterday condemned what it described as alleged continued harassment, illegal summons, arrests, and detention of Alhaji Ganiyu Oyebola and other law-abiding members of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Ejigbo Unit in Lagos, by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

HURMA, at a press conference held in Lagos, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police (IG) to investigate the matter and save the PTD, Ejigbo Unit, from their current plight, which he said was allegedly caused by the influence of some NUPENG officials, “despite the existence of a pending suit before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.”
The Executive Director, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda, Buna Olaitan Isiak, while addressing journalists yesterday at the conference, however, commended the Inspector General of Police (IG) for his notable commitment to professionalism, human rights, and the rule of law.

Isiak decried that the continued use of the police in what is purely a civil and internal trade union matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction not only violates due process but also undermines the principle of separation of powers. This is inconsistent with the IG’s well-known policy of rights-respecting and professional policing.”
According to him, “Under his leadership, the Nigeria Police Force has continued to enjoy renewed public confidence.

“It is precisely because of this confidence in his integrity and reform-minded leadership that we bring this matter to his attention and to the attention of the Nigerian public. The members of PTD Ejigbo Unit have been peacefully advocating credible, transparent, and democratic elections within their union efforts grounded in the PTD Bye-Laws, the Labour Laws of Nigeria, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended). “Unfortunately, some former Southwest Zonal leaders of PTD, in active collaboration with certain NUPENG officials, have persistently undermined these democratic aspirations by imposing an illegal caretaker leadership, thereby obstructing free and fair elections. In seeking justice and the protection of their rights, Alhaji Ganiyu Oyebola and his colleagues have approached the National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, which is currently handling the matter.
“Regrettably, even with the case still pending before this competent court, some police officers attached to the FCID Annex, Alagbon, and the Lagos State Police Command have repeatedly harassed, intimidated, and unlawfully detained these individuals on fabricated allegations allegedly engineered by interested NUPENG actors.”
The executive director added that between September 2025 and now, “we are informed that there have been several instances of illegal police summons, arrests, and detentions of PTD Ejigbo members, including Alhaji Ganiyu Oyebola. These actions are clear violations of their constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, and equality before the law as guaranteed by: Sections 34(1), 35(1)&(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); and Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 19, and 27(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
The group, therefore, demanded, on behalf of the PTD Ejigbo Unit members, that the Inspector General of Police urgently direct the immediate cessation of all forms of harassment, intimidation, illegal summons, arrests, and detention of Alhaji Ganiyu Oyebola and other PTD Ejigbo Unit members pending the determination of their case before the National Industrial Court.

“The Police IG should also instruct all police units, particularly the FCID (Abuja and Alagbon Annex) and the Lagos State Command, to desist from further involvement in the internal affairs of PTD. “He should also investigate and discipline any police officers or NUPENG officials found to have abused their office,” he stated.