Ex-petrol tanker drivers’ chair remanded over ‘assault’ on NUPENG president

Lucky Osesua, former national chair of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) in the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has been remanded in prison over an alleged assault.

Also remanded were Dayyabu Garga, Osesua’s deputy, and one Humble Obinna.

The trio were remanded to a correctional centre in Keffi, Nasarawa state, by a magistrate in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Thursday.

The development followed an alleged attack on Williams Akporeha, NUPENG’s president; Wale Afolabi, the union’s general secretary; and Augustine Egbon, the new PTD chair.

They were arraigned for alleged murder, homicide, attempted arson, destruction of property and disturbance of public peace.

According to a video seen by TheCable, violence broke out on Wednesday, at NUPENG’s national headquarters in Abuja, after Egbon was elected as the new PTD chair at a congress in Oyo state.

The National industrial court of Nigeria (NCIN) had nullified the election of Osesua.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Afolabi said valuables were stolen from them during the attack.

“We all boarded Green Africa Airline 8.05 am flight from Ibadan to Abuja and we landed at 9.15 am, after which we all proceeded in two different cars to the office,” the NUPENG general secretary said.

“The car conveying the President, General Secretary and the new Branch National Chairman arrived the PTD office gate at about 10.45 am without knowing that some assailants and thugs armed with dangerous weapons were already laying in waiting for our arrival, these group were being led by Mr Lucky Osesua, Mr Dayyabu Yusuf Garga and Mr Peter Moudebelu.

“These assailants viciously attacked the team of Comrade Williams Akporeha, my humble self who is the General Secretary of the union was seriously wounded and same vicious treatment meted out to comrade Solomon Kilanko.

“They stole valuables including wristwatches, money, shoes and telephones from our team. Eventually, I was rescued and rushed to Zankli Medical Centre in Mabushi while others scattered around with various injuries.

“Comrade Augustine Egbon the new Chairman escaped into the nearby PTD Hotel and these assailants traced him and broke into his room, beat him mercilessly and dragged him from 3rd floor to the ground floor and he was left unconscious right here in Abuja.

“It was indeed a gory and terrifying experience for a 68-years-old man.

“However, when the matter was reported at FCT police command, only Mr Lucky Osesua, Humble Obinna and Mr Dayyabu Yusuf Garga were arrested and subsequently charged to court for attempted murder, homicide, attempted arson, destruction of property and disturbance of public peace.”

The Afolabi said the police are still on the trail of their accomplices.