Human Rights Group Demands Release of Jailed Tanker Drivers

A human rights group has appealed for the release of four petroleum tanker drivers—Kabiru Salami, Kazeem Adeniran, Sahe Alegbeley, and Oladeji Rahmon—who are currently imprisoned at Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre in Lagos. The appeal was made on Tuesday during a protest at the Ejigbo office of the NNPC depot.

The group, represented by Buna Isiak, expressed deep concern over the circumstances surrounding the drivers' arrest, which allegedly occurred at the Ejigbo police station. The drivers were reportedly arrested and arraigned without proper legal procedures, leading to their remand in custody.

The group has demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the actions of the police officers involved, particularly those at the Ejigbo police station, and called for disciplinary measures against any officers found guilty of misconduct. This situation has escalated tensions within the petroleum tanker driver community, particularly following a leadership crisis within their union that began in March 2022.