Three staff members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have been remanded in prison following an alleged attack on the union’s president and general secretary. The incident occurred during a visit to the union’s national secretariat in Abuja. The three individuals, identified as Lucky Osesua, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, and Humble Obinna, were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 5 in Wuse Zone 2.
Details of the incident reveal that the NUPENG president, Williams Akporeha, and the general secretary, Wale Afolabi, accompanied the newly elected national chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch, Augustine Egbon, to the union’s office in Abuja. Upon their arrival, they were allegedly attacked by a group of assailants led by Lucky Osesua, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, and Peter Moudebelu. The attackers reportedly used dangerous weapons and inflicted injuries on the union officials. Valuables, including wristwatches, money, shoes, and phones, were also stolen from the victims.
The incident took place following a fresh election held for the PTD branch of NUPENG, which was ordered by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. The court had nullified the previous election held in Ibadan. The newly elected national officers of PTD-NUPENG were being escorted to the union’s office in Abuja when the attack occurred.
The three accused individuals, Lucky Osesua, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, and Humble Obinna, have been charged with attempted murder, homicide, attempted arson, destruction of property, and disturbance of public peace. They have been remanded in Keffi Correctional Facility in Nasarawa State.