Court Declares PENGASSAN Strike Against Dangote Refinery Illegal, Labels Crude Supply Disruption ‘Economic Sabotage’

An industrial court sitting in Garki, Abuja, has declared the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against Dangote Petroleum Refinery illegal, ruling that the union failed to follow due process before commencing the industrial action.

In a landmark judgment delivered on Wednesday, the presiding judge, Justice E.D. Subilim, held that the strike, which disrupted operations at Africa’s largest refinery project, was null and void.

The court also ruled that PENGASSAN had no legal authority to prevent crude oil and gas suppliers from carrying out their contractual obligations to the refinery, describing the union’s actions in cutting off supplies as capable of causing significant economic damage.

Justice Subilim stated that the disruption of crude and gas supply amounted to an act of economic sabotage because it could force suppliers to breach legally binding agreements with the Dangote Refinery.

The suit was instituted by the refinery through its counsel, George Ibrahim (SAN), following the industrial dispute that erupted late last year.

The conflict was triggered by the dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers by the refinery. PENGASSAN had alleged that the affected employees were targeted because of their decision to join the union, a claim that sparked nationwide protests and threats to the refinery’s operations.

As tensions escalated, the union declared a nationwide strike and moved to pressure suppliers by disrupting crude and gas deliveries to the multi-billion-dollar facility located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos.

The dispute quickly drew national attention due to the strategic importance of the refinery to Nigeria’s energy security, fuel supply and foreign exchange earnings.

At the height of the crisis, the Federal Government intervened through a series of marathon negotiations involving the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The intervention eventually led to the suspension of the strike on October 1, 2025, paving the way for further discussions while the matter remained before the court.

In his judgment, Justice Subilim emphasized that labour unions must operate within the confines of the law when pursuing industrial disputes, stressing that actions capable of disrupting critical national infrastructure and commercial contracts could not be justified outside established legal procedures.

However, the court declined Dangote Refinery’s claim for N50 billion in damages against PENGASSAN. The judge ruled that the company failed to provide sufficient justification for the amount sought, and consequently refused to award the compensation.

Other defendants in the suit included the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for labour relations in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, particularly regarding the limits of union actions in disputes involving strategic national assets and critical energy infrastructure.

Kebbi Police Arrest School Guard for Alleged Defilement of 10-Year-Old Girl

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old security guard attached to an Islamiyya school in Jega Local Government Area for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl. The Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, disclosed the arrest during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, where he paraded the suspect alongside others arrested for various crimes. The suspect, identified as Faruku Muhammed of Tungar Zabarmawa area in Jega, was arrested following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. According to police reports, the incident occurred on June 14, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m. when the suspect allegedly lured the girl into his room located within the Islamiyya school premises where he worked as a security guard. The police did not disclose the name of the school involved in the incident.

Reading from the official police report, CP Hadejia detailed the allegations: *“On 14/06/2026 at about 1630hrs one Faruku Muhammed M aged 36yrs of Tungar Zabarmawa area Jega, LGA, lured one Naja’atu Surajo F aged 10yrs of the same address in to his room located inside an Islamiyya School where he works as a Security Guard and had sexual intercourse with her by inserting his finger inside her vagina. Case under investigation and will be prosecuted accordingly.”* The young girl reportedly sustained injuries and was subsequently taken to a medical facility for treatment and evaluation, though the police did not disclose the extent of her injuries or the name of the hospital where she received care.

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CP Hadejia assured the public that the case is under investigation and the suspect will be prosecuted accordingly if found culpable. He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society, urging parents and guardians to promptly report cases of abuse, exploitation, and other crimes affecting minors. The police commissioner also encouraged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring that reports involving child abuse would receive prompt attention and that all information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The school guard’s arrest was announced during a press briefing that also covered other security breakthroughs in the state. These included the arrest of four suspected members of the Mamudawa group allegedly involved in supplying logistics to terrorists, as well as the rescue of a kidnapped victim. CP Hadejia used the platform to commend the cooperation of security agencies, vigilante groups, and the Civilian Joint Task Force, describing their collaboration as vital to the ongoing fight against insurgency, banditry, and other violent crimes in the state.

The incident has drawn reactions from parents, education stakeholders, and child protection groups, who have called for a thorough investigation and swift justice for the victim. Advocates have urged authorities to strengthen screening and monitoring processes for non-teaching staff working in schools, stressing the need for stricter background checks and improved child protection measures to ensure the safety of pupils. According to child rights experts, many informal learning centers and community-based educational institutions still operate without comprehensive safeguarding frameworks, leaving children vulnerable to abuse in environments where they are expected to learn and receive moral guidance. Child rights organizations have consistently urged school proprietors, religious institutions, and government authorities to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that anyone working closely with children undergoes proper screening and monitoring, including background checks and regular supervision.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigators prepare the case for possible prosecution. Legal experts suggest that if found guilty, the suspect could face severe penalties under Nigerian law, including life imprisonment, as the country’s child protection laws provide for strict punishment for offenders who commit sexual offenses against minors. Meanwhile, child protection advocates have called on the Kebbi State Government to provide counseling and psychological support for the young victim to help her recover from the traumatic experience, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive care that addresses both the physical and emotional wounds of survivors.

Kebbi Police Arrest School Guard for Alleged Defilement of 10-Year-Old Girl

Police Arrest Boko Haram, Lakurawa Terror Suspects, Rescue Kidnap Victim

The Kebbi State Police Command has recorded significant security breakthroughs, arresting three suspected members of the Mamudawa Boko Haram sect, four suspected Lakurawa bandits, and several logistics suppliers across the state. The command also successfully rescued a kidnapped victim during the coordinated operations, according to a press briefing by the Commissioner of Police, Umar M. Hadejia, in Birnin Kebbi. CP Hadejia attributed the successes to intelligence-led policing and robust collaboration with other security agencies, vigilante groups, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF). The arrests are part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across Kebbi State, which has faced increasing threats from non-state armed groups operating in the North-West region.

On June 5, 2026, operatives of the Police Mobile Force attached to Illo Division in Bagudo Local Government Area, acting on credible intelligence while on patrol along the Illo-Lolo Road, intercepted and arrested three suspected members of the Mamudawa Boko Haram group. The suspects were identified as Muhammadu Bandi, Aliyu Abubakar, and Muhammadu Abubakar. According to the police commissioner, the trio was arrested while riding a motorcycle to Lolo town, allegedly to procure food supplies for other members of the group. Preliminary investigation linked the suspects to movements around Illo during the attack that claimed the lives of three Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel on June 4, 2026. The motorcycle recovered from the suspects bore a foreign registration number, raising concerns about cross-border criminal networks operating in the area. The suspects and the recovered motorcycle will be prosecuted accordingly.

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In a separate operation on June 7, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m., Police Mobile Force personnel deployed on special duty along the Ka’oje-Bakin Ruwa Road in Bagudo Local Government Area arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa group. The suspects were identified as Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu, and Yahaya Shehu. CP Hadejia stated that the suspects are being investigated over their alleged involvement in armed banditry activities within the SODA Forest in Bagudo, a known hideout for criminal elements. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Birnin Kebbi, for further investigation and potential prosecution.

The command also arrested a suspected logistics supplier to the Lakurawa terrorists in Zazzagawa Village, Argungu Local Government Area. The suspect, Murtala Sani, was apprehended on June 9, 2026, following intelligence reports that he supplied food items and beverages to members of the terrorist group. He was also alleged to have transported a suspected Lakurawa member to criminal hideouts on several occasions, providing critical support that enabled the group’s operations. The suspect is currently in custody and assisting the police in ongoing investigations aimed at apprehending other suspects still at large.

In a related development, the command arrested Ayuba Ibrahim, a resident of Bakin Ruwa in Bagudo Local Government Area, on June 11 for allegedly providing support to criminal elements operating in the area. During investigation, operatives recovered a pump-action rifle, three live cartridges, and a bag containing items suspected to be linked to criminal activities from his possession. The suspect is currently in custody while investigations continue. The police also arrested Aliyu Jibrin, 42, of Kwakware Village in Arewa Local Government Area, after recovering a locally made pistol from his possession during a patrol operation at Makera Market. These arrests demonstrate the command’s commitment to mopping up illegal weapons and disrupting the logistics networks that sustain criminal operations.

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On June 10, 2026, police operatives, supported by vigilantes and the Civilian JTF, rescued a kidnapped housewife, Asmau Isah, following an attack on her residence in the Bayan Forestry area of Birnin Kebbi. According to the commissioner, seven armed men invaded the residence, stole N220,000 and mobile phones before whisking the victim away to an unknown destination. Following a swift response by the joint security team, the victim was rescued unharmed and one suspect, Abubakar Siddi, was arrested. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang, and Siddi will be arraigned upon the conclusion of investigations.

In a related development, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma successfully repelled an attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The operation was carried out around the Dogon Daji community, where troops encountered the terrorists during an offensive mission aimed at clearing criminal elements from the area. Military authorities said the terrorists engaged the advancing troops in a fierce gun battle but were eventually overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the Nigerian military, forcing them to abandon their positions and retreat. Items recovered during the operation included rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launch tubes, rocket-propelled grenades, several improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two motorcycles, and other personal belongings abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. No casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation, which dealt a significant blow to terrorist capabilities in the area.

The arrests and military operations come amid a broader push by the Federal Government to combat insecurity across the country. The Nigerian Government recently arraigned over 600 individuals suspected of terrorist acts before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, declared that the government would “fight with every inch of our blood” to eliminate terrorism. “Let everybody know that terrorism in whatever form or shape will not be tolerated. We will fight with everything we have to make Nigeria a haven for everybody,” Fagbemi stated. He disclosed that 10 judges have been assigned exclusively to handle terrorism-related cases and have temporarily suspended all other judicial responsibilities to focus on the proceedings, signaling the government’s determination to prosecute terror cases to conclusion.

In another achievement, the Kebbi Police Command recovered a stolen Mercedes-Benz C200 through inter-command collaboration. The vehicle, which was stolen in Sokoto State, was recovered in Birnin Kebbi, leading to the arrest of one suspect, Ahmed Sa’adu, popularly known as Baga. The suspect and the recovered vehicle have been handed over to the Sokoto State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

CP Hadejia commended the cooperation of security agencies, vigilante groups, and the Civilian JTF, describing their collaboration as vital to the ongoing fight against insurgency and banditry in the state. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive patrols and tactical operations across identified flashpoints to ensure the safety of residents. The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing credible information with security agencies, assuring them that all reports would be treated confidentially. He reiterated the command’s dedication to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace throughout Kebbi State, calling on all stakeholders to support the security agencies in their collective efforts to restore lasting peace to the region.

Police Arrest Boko Haram, Lakurawa Terror Suspects, Rescue Kidnap Victim