Tanker Drivers and WHARF 302 members at AGRIRA/GOLDEN OIL in Agrira Jibowu Village and West African Soy Industries Limited (WASIL), near the Sagamu Interchange along the Sagamu–Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State have strongly refuted allegations made by Usman Tajudeen of the National Union of Edible Oil Tanker Drivers of Nigeria (NUEOTDN), describing his claims as “false, malicious, and a calculated attempt to misinform the public.”
In a rejoinder signed by Comrade Tope Ajagbe on behalf of Concerned Tanker Drivers patently dismissed reports that Comrade Olubunmi Olusoji was arrested and remanded at Ibara Correctional Centre, insisting that no such incident occurred. The statement stressed that police and court interventions in recent disputes were purely administrative and consistent with the rule of law.
The Drivers accused NUEOTDN members of repeated violent attacks on tanker drivers, citing incidents at West African Soy Industries Limited (WASIL) near Sagamu Interchange and at AGRIRA/GOLDEN OIL in Agrira Jibowu Village, Ogun State.
According to the affected drivers, video evidence circulating on social media shows over 70 armed NUEOTDN members storming WASIL’s facility, demanding illegal levies of ₦120,000 per truck. The attackers allegedly carried dangerous weapons including clubs, planks embedded with nails, cutlasses, knives, and charms, inflicting injuries on drivers and threatening to burn down the facility.
Despite the provocation, the Tanker Drivers said they remained focused on their lawful duties until law enforcement restored order.
The rejoinder condemned NUEOTDN’s “misleading public notice,” describing it as an abuse of communication that undermines trust and damages reputations. It further alleged that Tajudeen has no legitimate professional affiliation with the transportation or petroleum logistics sector, branding him a “persona non grata” within the industry.
“His activities are not grounded in professional expertise or operational experience,” the statement read. “Stakeholders and the public are advised to treat his pronouncements with caution and disdain.”
The Drivers reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, lawful conduct, and the protection of members’ welfare. It urged government and industry stakeholders to urgently check what it called Tajudeen’s “acts of brigandage” to safeguard peace and stability in the sector.
“NUPENG, with nearly five decades of existence, will continue to uphold transparency, lawful conduct, and the protection of its members’ reputations, safety, security, and welfare at all times,” Ajagbe concluded.
See Full Statement below:
Make news story out of the statement below:
Press Statement
Rejoinder to NUEOTDN’s False Claims: And Why Government & Industry Stakeholders Must Check Tajudeen Usman’s Act Of Brigandage On Tanker Drivers
The purported “Public Notice” issued by Mr. Usman Tajudeen of a violent National Union of Edible Oil Tanker Drivers of Nigeria (NUEOTDN) on Friday, August 7, 2026, is a calculated attempt at misinformation. It is imperative to set the record straight and safeguard the reputation of Comrade Olubunmi Olusoji as well as AGRIRA/GOLDEN OIL Tanker Drivers and WHARF 302.
For the sake of historical accuracy, we must unequivocally state that the first attack on Tanker Drivers and WHARF 302 members occurred at West African Soy Industries Limited (WASIL), near the Sagamu Interchange along the Sagamu–Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State last year; while the most recent incident took place at AGRIRA/GOLDEN OIL, Agrira Jibowu Village, along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Road. This recurring pattern of lawlessness and crude tactics must be urgently addressed to ensure the safety and stability of the industrial ecosystem.
1. False Allegations of Arrest
The claim that Comrade Olubunmi Olusoji was arrested at an edible oil depot in Ogun State and remanded at Ibara Correctional Centre is entirely fabricated to suit a negative rhetoric. This baseless narrative was crafted to malign his reputation and mislead the public.
Contrary to these distortions, the interventions of the Police and the Court were strictly administrative and were consistent with the rule of law. Tajudeen’s reckless misrepresentation not only exposes him as an alarmist but also risks contempt of court.
2. Misrepresentation of Events
The allegation of disrupted operations and injuries to members of another union is unfounded and unsupported by any credible evidence. In reality, AGRIRA/GOLDEN OIL Tanker Drivers had lawfully agreed to unionize under WHARF 302 for edible products. While awaiting formalization, they were violently attacked by armed NUEOTDN members in a gestapo‑style invasion aimed at illegally taking over operations.
The Chief Security Officer (CSO) and management of WASIL Company can attest to this brazen assault, during which WASIL Tanker Drivers and WHARF 302 members sustained injuries before law enforcement restored order.
Video evidence widely circulated on social media shows over 70 armed NUEOTDN members invading WASIL facility, demanding illegal levies of ₦120,000 per truck. They carried clubs, planks embedded with nails, cutlasses, knives, charms, and other dangerous weapons, inflicting bodily harm and threatening to burn down the facility.
Despite this provocation, Tanker Drivers and WHARF 302 members remained focused on their lawful duties until forced to defend themselves. Such barbaric conduct is unacceptable and must never recur in a society governed by law and order.
3. Abuse of Public Communication
Issuing a misleading “Public Notice” under the guise of official communication is highly irresponsible. It undermines public trust, misinforms stakeholders, and damages reputations without due process. Tajudeen and his collaborators will inevitably face the consequences of their reckless actions.
4. Commitment to Truth and Integrity
Comrade Olubunmi Olusoji and Tanker Drivers remain law‑abiding citizens and dedicated union members. Olusoji has not engaged in any unlawful activity, nor has he been subjected to judicial proceedings as falsely claimed.
NUEOTDN’s publication is malicious propaganda intended to incite chaos and destabilize the industry. It has failed. Tajudeen must clarify his true identity and role within the sector, as his lack of legitimacy renders him a persona non grata undeserving of recognition.
Further investigations have revealed that Usman Tajudeen lacks any professional affiliation with the transportation or petroleum logistics sector. He is neither a registered transporter nor a licensed tanker driver, and he holds no recognized position as a marketer within the industry.
This discovery underscores the questionable legality of his claims and pronouncements, particularly those directed against the Tanker Drivers at WASIL and AGRIRA/GOLDEN OIL. By misrepresenting himself as an industry stakeholder, Tajudeen seeks to distort public perception and undermine the credibility of genuine operators who have dedicated decades of service to the sector.
It is therefore imperative to highlight that his activities are not grounded in professional expertise or operational experience. Stakeholders and the general public are advised to treat his statements and interventions with caution and disdain, as they do not emanate from a qualified, rightful or authorized voice within the transportation or petroleum marketing ecosystem.
Final Word
As core industry stakeholders, we categorically reject the contents of the so‑called notice signed by Tajudeen. It is a tissue of lies, devoid of fact, and should be accordingly be disregarded by all and sundry.
NUPENG which serves as parent Union to PTD, with nearly five decades of existence, will continue to uphold transparency, lawful conduct, and the protection of its members’ reputations, safety, security and welfare at all times and in all places.
Signed:
Comrade Tope Ajagbe
On behalf of Concerned Petroleum Tanker Drivers
