The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned of a potential nationwide strike following the deployment of special naval forces to the Oritsetimeyin oil drilling rig, where they allegedly removed workers amid a protracted labor dispute. The rig, which had already been shut down due to the ongoing disagreement, witnessed an escalation when naval personnel arrived by helicopter, reportedly to eject workers from the site.
Video footage captured by onlookers shows tense exchanges between some of the naval personnel and workers on the platform. In one video, workers can be heard protesting their treatment, telling the naval officers, “We are fighting for our rights, and we cannot be slaves in our country.”
NUPENG’s threat to strike underscores the growing tension over workers’ rights and labor practices within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The union has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the presence of military forces in what it considers an industrial matter, warning that if such actions continue, they will have no choice but to halt oil and gas operations across the country.
The incident has sparked significant public concern, as NUPENG’s role in the country’s oil sector is critical. A nationwide strike could severely disrupt fuel distribution and the broader energy sector. The union has called on authorities to address workers’ grievances respectfully and responsibly, urging for a swift resolution to the dispute without further military intervention.