By Adewale Akin
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has raised alarm over the activities of fraudsters allegedly parading themselves as leaders of a fictitious group known as the “PTD Elders” or “PTD Leaders.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, September 27, and signed by its National President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union warned the public, media, and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to disregard any directives or communications from the group.
According to NUPENG, the individuals behind the scheme are paid agents of “unconscionable capitalists” seeking to destabilize the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the union. The union described their actions as a continuation of past attempts to blackmail and discredit its leadership, recalling the violent attack on its executives in Abuja in November 2023, which is still the subject of a court case.
The statement also noted that NUPENG is currently in court with Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE, MRS Oil Nigeria Limited, and MRS Oil & Gas Company Limited in suit number NICN/ABJ/279/2025, and has retained the services of human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) to lead its defense team.
Reaffirming its leadership structure, NUPENG stressed that the only recognized and constitutionally elected executive of the PTD branch is led by Comrade Augustine Egbon as National Chairman. It further declared that there is no legitimate group within the union known as “PTD Elders” or “PTD Leaders.”
The union called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to urgently arrest and prosecute the impersonators, describing their activities as criminal.
“This press release serves as a final warning to these faceless individuals to cease and desist from their illegal activities immediately. NUPENG will not hesitate to take all legal and industrial actions necessary to protect the integrity of our union and the interests of our members,” the statement read.
