TheCable

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) group, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has condemned the degrading maltreatment of two of its members in Owerri, Imo state.

In a statement on Friday, jointly signed by Lucky Osesua, PTD national chairman, Dayyabu Garga, his deputy, and Humble Power, the national secretary, the union said their members were attacked and tortured on Sunday, February 25, 2024, by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According to the PTD, the affected truck carries the number plate AXB 605ZH.

The group said it has been in full support of clamping down on criminal elements who had developed a penchant for illegal oil bunkering and other unlawful activities that promote economic sabotage in the country.

However, the PTD said the incessant harassment and bullying of its members would no longer be tolerated.

They said their members had suffered too much harassment from several state and non-state actors, adding that the menace should be stopped in the interest of industrial peace, harmony, and tranquillity.

“Similarly, the video evidence of the unfortunate incident which had gone viral on the social media really put us into serious emotional trauma, discontent and great disappointment,” the union said.

“It is more appalling to realize that the callous treatment meted out on these tanker drivers on wheels simply occurred because they refused to give the NSCDC officers money and after much argument, the operatives brazenly beat them up to stupor.

“The circumstances surrounding the humiliation of these enthusiastic and vibrant men are completely condemnable, as the PTD Branch of NUPENG vehemently frowns at it.

“Although our investigation revealed that the distressed men were swiftly rushed to the hospital and we thank God they subsequently regained their consciousness. Later in the evening these recuperating drivers still managed to drive the loaded truck to its designated destination.

‘HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME HAD NO EFFECTIVE’

“Our members who were on ground further confirmed that some personnel of the NSCDC came to empathize with them and as well footed their hospital bills.

“We are however surprised that the much publicized health insurance scheme by our parent union (NUPENG) had no significant effect in the lives of these affected members who were apparently faced with a life threatening situation while on wheels.

“This again justified our claim ab initio that the scheme was not well thought out by the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale who was the chief promoter of the scheme.

“The experience of Sunday afternoon overtly dampened the morale of tanker drivers in Nigeria in the face of injustice, intimidation, extortion, assaults, verbal attacks, victimization and callous treatments.”

The union further urged its members to remain calm and orderly in the Port Harcourt zone, particularly Imo where the crime occurred.

The PTD also called on the federal government, national assembly, Ahmed Audu, commandant-general of the NSCDC, the Imo state command of the NSCDC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police, to show compassion and support for its members.