A civil‑society group, Right for Human Dignity and Justice, has called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director‑General of the Department of State Services to arrest and prosecute the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) for alleged economic sabotage. The appeal comes amid escalating tensions between NUPENG and both Dangote Refinery and MRS Holdings Limited over the companies’ anti‑union policies and the deployment of 4,000 compressed natural‑gas (CNG) trucks across Nigeria.
NUPENG has announced a nationwide strike and protest scheduled for 8 September 2025, claiming the companies’ policies aim to undermine workers’ rights. The civil‑society group, however, described the planned strike as “mischievous” and “ill‑advised,” warning that it could destabilise the country and disrupt economic activity. Its executive director, Iheanyi Kingsley, said the strike appears to be a deliberate attempt to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and tarnish Nigeria’s image. He also cited an intelligence report indicating that some NUPENG members, in collaboration with non‑state actors, are planning to set fire to Dangote’s CNG trucks, a move that could spark violent protests and further instability.
The group urged the government to take proactive measures to prevent a repeat of the violent #EndSARS protests of 2020. It specifically called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute NUPENG’s president, Williams Akporeha, and general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, to avert the alleged economic sabotage and maintain public order.
The dispute between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery has intensified, with the union accusing the refinery of “taking Nigeria back to the days of slavery” by outsourcing jobs to non‑unionised workers. Despite NUPENG’s opposition, Dangote Refinery has proceeded with the rollout of its 4,000 CNG trucks. The situation remains volatile, carrying significant implications for Nigeria’s economic stability and security.
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