HURMA urges IGP to ensure faiir police conduct in PTD Ejigbo leadership dispute
The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to intervene in what it described as concerns raised by members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Ejigbo Unit over alleged police involvement in their ongoing leadership crisis.
Speaking at a press conference, HURMA’s Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, said the organisation had received complaints from some PTD members—including their unit leader, Alhaji Ganiyu Oyebola—regarding police invitations and arrests linked to the union’s internal leadership tussle.
Isiak explained that the dispute, which centres on disagreements about the process for conducting internal elections, is already before the National Industrial Court in Lagos, and urged security agencies to respect the court process.
“We are not accusing the police or any union leaders of wrongdoing,” he said. “Our appeal is simply for fairness, restraint, and respect for due process while the case is pending before the court.”
HURMA urged the IGP to ensure that police actions concerning the matter remain neutral, transparent, and lawful, outlining its requests as follows:
That all police activities relating to the dispute be guided strictly by the rule of law and in recognition of the pending court case. That units handling petitions from any party act with impartiality and review all concerns raised by PTD members for possible procedural lapses. That the rights and safety of all parties involved be fully protected.
Isiak reaffirmed HURMA’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peaceful resolution in labour-related conflicts, noting that the organisation’s appeal was intended to prevent escalation or bias while judicial proceedings continue.
He also commended the office of the Inspector General of Police for its ongoing efforts to enhance professionalism and public confidence in the Nigerian Police Force.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had issued official statements in response to HURMA’s appeal.
