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Staff Welfare Protest At Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission: Workers Demand Urgent Action
In a striking display of discontent, employees from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission gathered at the commission’s offices in Jabi and Utako, Abuja on Tuesday, to raise their voices against alleged poor welfare conditions.
Seeking immediate action, the protesting workers issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the management, urging them to address the grievances promptly to avert any potential industrial unrest.
Okechukwu Anya, the Chairman of the Abuja Branch union, spoke to journalists, emphasizing that the peaceful protest was initiated to bring the management’s attention to resolve pressing issues concerning staff welfare.
Among the identified concerns were the non-remittance of pension deductions from staff salaries, an inadequately equipped working environment, insufficient tools for efficient work, pending staff claims, and on-call allowances yet to be compensated.
The list of issues didn’t end there, as the workers also demanded an improvement in staff medical facilities, immediate payment of seven months of outstanding salaries, and fair treatment of outsourced personnel.
An exasperated Anya cited the union’s numerous attempts to communicate with the management to resolve the problems, but their responses had been lackadaisical and inattentive.
Exercising their constitutional rights to express grievances and seek redress, the union asserted that it was imperative to address the concerns affecting their welfare, economic rights, and overall working conditions.
Anya reiterated that the executive members were committed to collaborating with the management to enhance staff welfare and foster the organization’s growth.
Pleading with the commission to stand by their commitment to their workforce, he vowed that they would persistently voice their discontent until all issues were satisfactorily resolved.
The commission’s security officers had taken stringent measures, locking the premises and denying the protesters access.
Despite the workers’ strong stand, the management remained silent, refusing to respond to their demands.
When approached for comments, Adamu Garba, the Public Relations Officer of the commission, declined to provide any information, stating that he was on leave.
He directed all enquiries to his deputy, Carol Chika, who, unfortunately, did not answer her calls.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday stated that troops of Operation Delta Safe have sustained their operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in their efforts to curb illicit activities in the region.
A statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed that troops recovered a substantial quantity of stolen crude oil, illegally refined AGO, and PMS, totalling 392,174 litres, 138,757 litres, and 830 litres, respectively.
He stated that the troops also discovered and destroyed 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 48 boats, 21 storage tanks, 18 drums, and 16 illegal refining sites.
Additionally, they recovered various items, including pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and four vehicles.
The operation, according to General Kangye, resulted in the arrest of 11 oil thieves and other criminals, with assorted arms and ammunition, as well as dynamites, also being recovered.
In related developments, troops conducted successful offensive operations, arresting six criminals, including a suspected kidnapping kingpin, and recovering a locally made pistol and live cartridges.
The Director also stressed that troops rescued two kidnapped hostages and recovered a vehicle during counter-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State.
These successes, he said, demonstrate the effectiveness of Operation Delta Safe in combating crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Udo Ka foiled planned kidnapping and terrorism attacks in Anambra, Imo, and Abia states, arresting several suspects and rescuing kidnapped victims.
According to Kangye, “On 20 and 21 March 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Igbariam Local Government Area of Anambra State and Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State, resulting in the arrest of three suspected terrorists/kidnappers and the rescue of four attempted kidnapped victims.”
He stated that troops also recovered arms and ammunition, including several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and live cartridges, as well as a vehicle and tricycle.
He said that troops arrested many extremists in Imo and Enugu states, recovering one pump-action gun, live cartridges, and some quantities of illicit drugs.
Additionally, troops rescued a kidnapped victim in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, arresting the suspects and recovering a locally made pistol and a tricycle.
Also, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded significant successes against ISWAP/JAS terrorists in the North-east region.
Kangye said that between 21 and 26 March 2025, scores of terrorists, including adult males, females, and children, surrendered to troops following intense military operations.
He revealed that troops also conducted offensive operations in various locations, including Konduga, Gwoza, and Bama, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists, the apprehension of others, and the rescue of kidnapped hostages.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government released nearly 2,500 prisoners ahead of celebrations marking the end of Ramadan, the supreme court said on Saturday, in a country where the UN has warned of a growing prison population.
The exact number of prisoners held by various security bodies in Afghanistan is unclear, but a spokesman for the Office of Prison Administration (OPA) told AFP on Saturday between 11,000 and 12,000 convicted prisoners were in the authority’s custody.
Around the same number are in detention awaiting trial, sentencing or appeal, spokesman Mohamad Nasim Lalahand added.
The supreme court said on X that “2,463 prisoners who were eligible for amnesty were released, while 3,152 others received sentence reductions” as per a decree by the Taliban supreme leader.
The release of prisoners convicted of minor crimes is common practice ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, expected to start on Sunday or Monday.
Last year, Taliban authorities released around 2,800 prisoners ahead of the end of Ramadan, local media reported.
Last October, the United Nations mission to Afghanistan, UNAMA, said it was informed by the OPA that the prison population was growing, “with more detainees admitted daily than are released”.
UNAMA warned of high volumes of arrests and lengthy jail-time sentences putting “unsustainable pressure on prison facilities”.
Residents of Tsafe in Zamfara State have expressed gratitude to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, following the successful elimination of the notorious bandit leader, Dan Isuhu.
The community hailed the development as a significant step towards restoring security in the region.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Engr Muhammad Hussaini, residents attributed the success to Dr Matawalle’s strategic directives, which have bolstered military operations against terrorist elements, including the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji.
Dan Isuhu, known for orchestrating kidnappings, killings and other criminal activities, had terrorised communities across Tsafe, Funtua and Gusau for years.
He said ” His death is considered a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity in Zamfara.
“Dr Matawalle has been instrumental in driving intensified military operations in the state, ensuring the dismantling of criminal networks and the liberation of affected communities from the grip of banditry.”
With Dan Isuhu eliminated, residents are optimistic that it is only a matter of time before Bello Turji, the most wanted terrorist in the region, is brought to justice. As military efforts continue, there is renewed hope that Zamfara will soon experience lasting peace after years of violent attacks.