The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services, and their labor contractors of deploying military personnel to assault oil and gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas Rig.
In a statement issued Friday by PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo and General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union strongly condemned what it described as “excessive and brutal use of force” by security agencies allegedly hired by the companies.
“This act negates the tenets of the Nigerian Constitution and all extant laws governing the operations in the nation’s oil and gas sector,” PENGASSAN stated, calling the incident a grave violation of human rights.
The union claimed that Dutchford E&P and Selective Marine Services have a record of failing to honor agreements, including commitments to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
PENGASSAN alleges that workers have faced overdue payments and are owed entitlements dating back to 2022.
Warning against any potential eviction of workers from the rig, PENGASSAN said it “will deploy every arsenal at its disposal to frustrate such moves,” describing the use of military force as “unjustifiable and disproportionate,” particularly against unarmed workers facing low wages and hazardous conditions.
PENGASSAN called for a thorough investigation and demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the alleged assault.
The union emphasized that the perpetrators must face justice under national and international law, and requested assurances of safety for all oil and gas workers on the rigs.
The union further urged Nigerian authorities to uphold labor rights and engage in peaceful conflict resolution measures, stressing the need for protection of workers in the oil and gas industry.