Petrol tanker drivers threaten strike over ‘seizure’ of two diesel trucks by police

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to embark on a strike over the seizure of two trucks laden with automotive gas oil (AGO).

PTD said the trucks carrying AGO, popularly known as diesel, were allegedly seized in July by a task force setup by Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP).

If the union embarks on a strike, it could affect the supply of petroleum products across the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Augustine Egbon, PTD’s national chair, said though samples of the products from the two trucks have been certified by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Products Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the tankers have not been released.

“The truck with registration number, GRY 155XA loaded 49,000 litres of AGO at Prudent Energy Limited in Oghara, Delta state,” Egbon said.

“The destination was Sokoto but it was impounded in Funtua, Katsina, State on July 31, 2024.

“The second truck with registration number, TWD272XA, with 45,000 litres of AGO loaded the products at Integrated Oil and Gas in Apapa, Lagos.

“Its destination was Yobe State before it was impounded in August in Abuja.

“We have presented authentic documents to the police that the products were genuine and the point of loading. The IGP office has continued to ignore us.

“At our last NEC meeting, we issued a deadline to them, demanding for the release of the impounded trucks and a stoppage to the continued harassment of our members.

“We have been making our contributions to assist the federal government in its genuine efforts to make petroleum products available and ease the sufferings of Nigerians.

“It is unfortunate that the office of the IGP is unmindful of the threat that the excesses of its men constitute to the federal government determined efforts to promote effective distribution of petroleum products and peace in the industry.

“We are giving another two weeks’ notice.”

The PTD chair said if the police fail to release the trucks within the ultimatum they have given, tanker drivers would not lift products from the depots.

Muyiwa Adejobi, police spokesperson, has been contacted for comments.