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Dangote CNG trucks: Tanker drivers to stop fuel loading Monday

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Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers President, Williams Akporeha.
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Tanker drivers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers have threatened to stop fuel loading over the seeming cold war between them and the management of the Dangote refinery.

The crisis is arising from the plan by the Dangote refinery to import 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks for the direct distribution of fuel to retailers.

Though the scheme scheduled to commence on August 15 was delayed by logistics challenges in China, the refinery told our correspondent that it would flag it off when a good number of the trucks are received.

But NUPENG, in a statement signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Friday, accused the management of the Dangote refinery of alleged anti-labour practices inimical to the survival and means of livelihoods of its members under its Petroleum and Tanker Drivers Branch.

The union lamented that the founder of the refinery, Aliko Dangote, had said that new drivers would be recruited for the imported trucks, and none of them would be allowed to join any union.

The union described the position taken by the management of Dangote refinery as an affront to the right of association, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, and a breach of relevant international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory.

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NUPENG recalled several meetings it initiated, jointly with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, to prevail on Aliko Dangote to rescind his stance on not allowing its drivers to join trade unions. However, the union expressed regret that its appeals were allegedly ignored.

“Arising from the unfortunate outcome of the meeting, the leadership of the Union have made several efforts to get relevant institutions of the country to make Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Ali Dantata, follow the line of global best practices and decency, but all to no avail.

“To our utmost shock, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata’s MRS commenced the recruitment of drivers for the imported CNG trucks on Friday, 29th August 2025. The drivers being recruited are being forced to sign an undertaking not to belong to any existing union in the oil and gas industry. NUPENG is seriously concerned and disturbed with the unconscionable business practices of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who are scared of allowing unions to exist in their business outfits”, the statement partly read.

NUPENG said it would not stand idly by and watch while the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including tanker drivers, are destroyed.

“NUPENG stood in solidarity with Dangote Refinery during its construction and commissioning. We did so in good faith, in expectation it would create jobs, strengthen local capacity, and benefit the Nigerian people, under a conducive atmosphere for unions to thrive.

“Unfortunately, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has chosen to betray that trust by scheming to monopolise distribution, crush competition, enslave the sector, and raise prices, which would ultimately result in an attack on the living standards of the masses of ordinary Nigerians. This is not philanthropy; it is economic sabotage,” it was stated.

While appealing to relevant oil industry regulatory agencies to wade into the unfolding crisis, the union threatened it would call on its members to down tools and shun loading of petroleum products, effective from Monday, September 8.

“Meanwhile, since Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin have resolved to replace all petroleum tanker drivers in Nigeria, and there is no one or institution that can stop him, the members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG will, from Monday, 8th September 2025, start looking for alternative employment/skills and sources of livelihoods.

“We plead with the general public to bear any inconveniences our struggle against this tyranny and indecency may cause; it is a struggle that must be waged! We call on all other industrial unions and the central labour organisations, the NLC, TUC and global union federations, to get ready to stand in solidarity with peaceful mass actions and industrial actions in defending labour rights”, the union said.

Dangote spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, has yet to reply to messages sent to him by our correspondent.

The dispute between tanker drivers and the Dangote Refinery comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, as the country seeks to stabilise fuel distribution and cut reliance on imported refined products.

The $20bn Dangote Refinery, inaugurated in May 2023, has been hailed as a game changer for Nigeria’s energy security, with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

However, its new plan to import and operate 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks has sparked labour concerns over potential job losses for members of NUPENG.

NUPENG’s threat to halt fuel loading highlights fears of a wider labour confrontation that could disrupt petroleum product supply nationwide, potentially leading to fuel scarcity if not resolved. (PUNCH)

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Another child dumped at Pastor Chibuzor’s gate in Rivers

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Chibuzo Chinyere
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A cleric, Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, has raised alarm after another child was reportedly abandoned at his residence on April 23, 2026.

According to him, the incident occurred earlier in the day when the young boy was discovered at his gate. He stated that he has immediately notified the police and is making arrangements to hand the child over to the appropriate authorities.

The cleric explained that he is unable to take in new children at the moment due to ongoing registration processes with the Ministry of Social Welfare. He stressed that accepting the child would violate existing legal requirements guiding child care and protection.

He further disclosed that his facility is already accommodating over 500 children, making it necessary to strictly adhere to regulations before admitting more.

Chinyere also expressed appreciation to the Federation of International Women Lawyers and the Ministry of Social Welfare for educating him on proper legal procedures.

He reiterated that the child would be transferred to the custody of the Ministry, emphasizing that compliance with the law remains his top priority.

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OAU medical student collapses, dies before final exam

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Adewole Emmanuel, a 400-level medical student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has died after reportedly collapsing moments before his final session examination.

Emmanuel’s death was announced on Thursday in a statement by the Ife University Medical Students Association.

The association lamented the sudden departure, describing Emmanuel as a solid pillar of his class.

The statement read in part, “Under the cover of dark clouds, we write to you with the heaviest of hearts to inform you of the passing of one of our own, an integral part of the association and a solid pillar of his class.

While describing the deceased as “a colleague, friend, roommate, and a Part 4 medical student with an undeniably bright future until the time of his passing”, the association added that “This incident is not only sad, but crucially painful as we lost a rising star and a loving member of the IFUMSA family.”

“In honoring his dearest memories, we kindly ask the general public to do without speculations and respect the privacy of the family during this vulnerable period.”

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Speaking under condition of anonymity, a senior member of the association said the student died on Wednesday without an underlying ailment.

“He died yesterday. But he hadn’t been sick. He just collapsed and couldn’t be resuscitated,” the source said.

“We were about to write our final exam for the session. And during the process of waiting for the exam, he suddenly collapsed in the college and died.

“It’s just unfortunate as he didn’t have any underlying medical condition. We have contacted his family already.”

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Misdemeanor: Senator Jim Nwobodo’s wife, Patricia loses at Enugu Magistrate Court

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Father remanded in prison for alleged sexual assault of 7-year-old daughter
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..As court srikes out charges against CEO, Energy FM Enugu, Pastor Ogbuanu, 3 others, Awards N1m cost against her

An Enugu State Magistrate Court has struck out a four-count criminal charge brought against a Lagos-based cleric and Chief Executive Officer, Energy FM Enugu, Pastor Basil Ogbuanu, and three of his workers.
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The court also awarded a N1m cost against Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo, the wife of a former governor of Old Anambra State, Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, for her failure to prosecute the case.
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The ruling, delivered by His Worship D.K. Ekoh at the Enugu South Magisterial District, followed the persistent absence of the complainants since the inception of the matter in January 2026.
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The defendants, Ezeh Patrick Muoneke, 46; Arinze Onoja, 26; Sedro Theodore, 28; and Basil Ogbuanu, 56, were arraigned on January 20, 2026, on charges bordering on conspiracy, deprivation of liberty, and assault.
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The four- count charge levelled against them read:
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“That you Eze Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Only a ‘m’, on the 16th day of January, 2026 at about 1300hours at Patin-Son Estate, Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu within Enugu Magisterial District did conspire among themselves to commit misdemeanor to wit: Deprivation of Liberty and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 496(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
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Count 11: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore ‘m’ and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully confine the movement and detain Mrs Patricia M. Nwobodo ‘f’ against her will from 11hours to 13hours and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State 2004.
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Count 111: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore ‘m’ and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully confine the movement and detain Police Constable Ugwu Emmanuel ‘m’ against his will from 1100hours to 1300hours and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
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Count IV: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’ Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully assault Police Constable Ugwu Emmanuel ‘m’ by beating him all over his body and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 252 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
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However, during the proceedings on April 15, 2026, the police prosecutor, B.C. Nnadozie, admitted that he had not seen the complainants since the matter started.
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Nnadozie told the court that he could not “manufacture oath” or serve witness statements on the defence as he had no contact with the nominal complainants.
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Counsel for the defendants, Emeka Oko, urged the court to dismiss the charge, noting that his clients, who are busy artisans and a Lagos resident, had suffered by traveling to Enugu for a case the complainants were not interested in pursuing.
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Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Ekoh lambasted the conduct of the complainants, describing it as a clear indication of their lack of desire to prosecute the matter.
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“A complainant whose complaint was investigated and to her knowledge is aware of the charge proffered against the defendants decides to stay in her luxury home without prosecuting her complaint, should as well pay damages to the person(s) she wrongfully complained against”, he said
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The court subsequently struck out the charge and ordered that the defendants must not be re-arrested on the strength of the same complaint.
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The trial Magistrate also granted the application for N1m cost against the complainant to be paid to the defendants.

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