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Fresh Crisis Hits NUPENG, Dangote Relationship As Union Halts Fuel Loading

Fresh Dispute Erupts Between NUPENG and Dangote Group Despite DSS-Brokered Truce

By Kamal Yalwa | Lagos, Nigeria Barely 48 hours after the Department of State Services (DSS) brokered a truce between the Dangote Group and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), a fresh crisis has emerged, Daily Trust has confirmed. The renewed face-off began on Thursday when NUPENG officials halted fuel loading operations at the Dangote Refinery, citing a breach of the peace agreement reached earlier in the week. At the heart of the dispute is an alleged directive issued by Dangote Refinery logistics lead and MRS Managing Director, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, instructing MRS tanker drivers to remove all NUPENG stickers from their trucks—an act the union views as a violation of workers’ rights and prior commitments. Background to the Crisis On Tuesday, the DSS convened a high-level closed-door meeting at its Abuja headquarters following a failed reconciliation attempt on Monday at the Ministry of Labour. That Tuesday meeting, which lasted nearly six hours, included three federal ministers: Wale Edun (Finance), Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi (Labour and Employment), and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Minister of State for Labour and Employment). Following the discussions, NUPENG announced a suspension of its planned nationwide industrial action and allowed operations at the Dangote Refinery to resume. However, union officials say the latest development betrays the terms of that agreement. Union Reacts to Sticker Removal Speaking to Daily Trust, a union leader said the removal of the stickers was carried out less than a day after the truce was reached. “On Wednesday morning, based on the agreement reached at the DSS headquarters, we distributed stickers to our members. But within hours, we received reports that the company had instructed drivers to remove them,” the official said. “By Thursday morning, when we arrived at the refinery, we discovered the stickers had been removed from all trucks. This is a clear violation of what was agreed.” NUPENG President: “It’s Not Yet Uhuru” Confirming the renewed standoff, NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, issued a stern warning to the Dangote Group, accusing Dantata of undermining the peace process and violating workers’ rights. “This is to alert the general public and the Federal Government that despite the resolution signed in the presence of three Ministers and a DSS Deputy Director-General, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata ordered NUPENG members to remove union stickers,” Akporeha said in a statement on Thursday. He alleged that Dantata also attempted to forcefully resume loading operations and called in the Nigerian Navy to intervene, following union officials’ decision to stop non-compliant trucks from accessing the loading bay. “He even flew over the union members in a helicopter while calling in the Navy, ostensibly to crush union officials,” Akporeha added. Union Mobilizes for Possible Strike NUPENG has now placed its members on “red alert” for the possible resumption of the suspended nationwide strike. Akporeha called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society groups, and international labor organizations to stand in solidarity. “We will not allow one man’s wealth to place him above the law. NUPENG remains a patriotic and law-abiding union that will not tolerate disregard for agreements reached under official auspices.” He urged the federal government to ensure that state security apparatus is not misused to suppress union activities or enforce unilateral corporate directives. Dangote Group Yet to Respond As of press time, the Dangote Group had not issued an official statement on the new development. However, a company source who declined to be named told Daily Trust that a response may be released “soon.”

DSS Arraigns Nine Over Terror-Related Offences in Benue and Plateau

Fola Badmus2 weeks ago2 weeks ago03 mins

Abuja, Nigeria – The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned nine individuals in connection with a series of terror-related offences and violent attacks across Benue and Plateau States. The suspects were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja in six separate cases, facing charges ranging from terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms to arms trafficking and destruction of property. Among those arraigned were Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, both from Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. They are facing a three-count charge for allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks in Abinsi and Yelwata villages. They are also accused of destroying private property in Ukpam village, which reportedly led to the economic loss of 12 cattle. In another case, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA in Nasarawa State were charged alongside others still at large. They allegedly participated in coordinated attacks on the communities of Abinsi and Yelwata on June 13, 2025. A 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar, from Faskari LGA in Katsina State, was arraigned on a four-count charge. She is accused of transporting 302 rounds of live AK-47 rifle ammunition to bandits operating in the region. The DSS also arraigned a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and another individual, Timnan Manjo, on a four-count charge related to the illegal purchase and sale of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles. The weapons were reportedly sold without licenses for a sum of ₦3 million. In a related development, Danjuma Antu of Jos North, Plateau State, appeared before the court on a five-count charge for unlawful possession of two locally made pistols capable of firing 9mm caliber ammunition. Additionally, the DSS filed a six-count charge against Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, for unlawful possession of 18 firearms, including grenades, without a license. The DSS noted that investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being made to apprehend other suspects who remain at large. These arraignments come amid increased efforts by security agencies to clamp down on rising violence, arms proliferation, and terrorism in Nigeria’s North Central region, which has faced persistent instability in recent years.

DSS Moves to Block Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government Rallies Cites Threat to National Security

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a fresh legal bid at the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain Professor Pat Utomi from launching rallies and public events in support of his proposed “shadow government.” In a motion filed on Wednesday, the DSS described Utomi’s actions as a threat to national security and accused him of trying to destabilise the country under the guise of free speech and democratic expression. According to intelligence cited in the application, Utomi—currently outside Nigeria—is planning to return on June 6 to hold roadshows and media engagements promoting the shadow cabinet idea. The DSS warned that such activities are capable of inciting public unrest and undermining the authority of the legitimate government. It urged the court to grant an interlocutory injunction to stop Utomi and his associates from holding any rallies, media events, or public discourse related to the controversial plan until the pending suit is determined. The DSS is seeking a legal declaration that Utomi’s shadow government initiative, which it deems unconstitutional, poses a significant threat to public peace. In its affidavit, the agency likened Utomi’s mobilization efforts to the events that triggered the 2020 End SARS protests, warning that a similar scenario could erupt if not urgently contained. The security agency insisted that it is acting within its constitutional duty to preserve internal stability and protect Nigeria from potential chaos. The controversy stems from a pending case—FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025—already filed by the DSS, which argues that Utomi’s shadow cabinet plan amounts to an attempted usurpation of governmental authority. The agency highlighted a May 26 lecture in which Utomi defended the legitimacy of a shadow government, suggesting that his group would merely rename the initiative if barred by the court. Justice James Omotosho has fixed June 25 for hearing the substantive case.

Stop misusing DSS, proxies to silence us, SERAP tells Tinubu govt

Fola Badmus11 months ago11 months ago011 mins

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu and his government “to stop the ‘weaponization’ of the country’s security agencies to target Nigerians simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights, and to direct the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately withdraw the baseless defamation lawsuit by their proxies against our organization and management staff.” Two named DSS officials last week filed a defamation lawsuit against SERAP, following allegations by the organization regarding the recent invasion of its Abuja office by some officials of the security agency. In the open letter dated 19 October 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “We are seriously concerned that your government seems to be weaponizing the DSS and misusing defamation laws as a tool of repression and to target those who defend human rights.” SERAP said, “Rather than addressing the allegations of widespread corruption in the oil sector and the worsening economic situation in the country, and reducing the cost of governance, your government is targeting those who campaign for actions in these areas.” The letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter. “If the lawsuit is not immediately withdrawn, we will be prepared to defend our organization and management staff in court, and to join your government and DSS in the lawsuit. This may include calling witnesses to ensure justice, end impunity for rights abuses, and achieve legitimate public interests in this matter. “We have since 2004 pursued several public interest cases against the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. This is the first time any government will weaponize the country’s security agencies to intimidate and target our organization. “The defamation lawsuit is brought by two named DSS officials but their names are unknown to our organization. The lawsuit by these officials is apparently instigated and sponsored by the DSS under your watch. “It is critical for human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other citizens to be able to organize and freely exercise their human rights without the threat of baseless lawsuits by your government or its security agencies and/or their proxies. “Weaponizing the security agencies to intimidate, harass and silence human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors will weaken representative democracy, deepen impunity and undermine the rule of law. “Rather misusing the security agencies to crackdown on human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors, your government ought to take steps to thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively investigate the allegations raised by SERAP. “We are disappointed that your government has so far failed to respond to our recommendations calling on you to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the apparently illegal and unconstitutional increase in the pump price of petrol across its retail outlets. “Your government has also failed to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, including the spending of the reported $300 million ‘bailout funds’ collected from the Federal Government in August 2024, and the $6 billion debt it owes suppliers, despite allegedly failing to remit oil revenues to the treasury and to prosecute suspected perpetrators. “Your government also continues to refuse to obey several court judgments obtained by SERAP, including those which ordered the Federal Government to disclose the details of the agreement with X, formerly Twitter, to assess whether the agreement complies with the exercise of Nigerians’ human rights online and to account for payments of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months. “SERAP had on 9 September 2024 also called on you and your government to direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of our organization and our staff members. “Our call followed the invasion of our Abuja office by some officials of the DSS. SERAP was subsequently served with a defamation lawsuit with number CV/4547/24. “The country under your government has witnessed an escalating crackdown on human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom, as well as socio-economic rights. “The judicial harassment of those who peacefully defend human rights is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations. “Under your government, human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors such as the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) continue to face harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention simply for carrying out their legitimate work. “The judicial harassment of SERAP by your government and its agencies shows hostility towards civil society actors defending the rights of other citizens, criticizing human rights violations, and challenging a culture of impunity for perpetrators. “SERAP therefore urges your government to end the intimidation, harassment and threats against our organization and management staff and other human rights defenders, activists as well as journalists and other civil society actors, including intimidation, through baseless legal processes. “SERAP strives to ensure that our human rights and anticorruption work meet the highest standards of analytical rigor devoid of politics. Our work is driven solely by the fundamental principles of justice, impartiality, solidarity and universality of human rights. SERAP believes that no government is beyond scrutiny and accountability. “SERAP’s non-partisan work in the field of human rights and anticorruption has been widely recognized nationally and internationally. Our organization received the Wole Soyinka Anti-Corruption Defender Award in 2014, and was nominated for the UN Civil Society Award and Ford Foundation’s Jubilee Transparency Award. SERAP was also nominated for the 2024 Columbia Global Freedom of Expression Prizes. “Our organization’s calls on your government regarding the persistent increases in fuel prices and allegations of corruption in the NNPC are based on the constitutional and international responsibilities of your government to Nigerians who are victims of corruption, and your constitutional oath of office. “SERAP believes that it is through action like this that any…

Sowore arrested at Lagos Airport

Fola Badmus1 year ago1 year ago02 mins

Nigerian politician and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has been arrested. The pro-democracy campaigner was arrested on Sunday morning at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, has been arrested. In a post via his official X handle, Sowore disclosed that he had been detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service and his international passport had been confiscated. He wrote, “I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA to the MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me. “This is not un expected because i have always known that It is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist @officialAbat regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober revolt. “In case this becomes another prolonged and protracted detention, I urge our citizens to ensure they ALL stop tyranny by all means acceptable and necessary, by engaging in the planned series of direct actions slated for October 1st and beyond.” On Thursday, 12 September 2024, a DSS memo ordering the arrest of Sowore upon his arrival in Nigeria was leaked.