The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has called on the Office of the Inspector General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, to release four petroleum tanker drivers detained at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre.

The appeal followed a protest at the Ejigbo NNPC Depot on Tuesday, led by HURMA’s Director, Buna Isiak.

The detained drivers, Kabiru Salami, Kazeem Adeniran, Saheed Alegbeleye, and Oladeji Rahmon, reportedly faced attacks by a faction of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers.

Instead of receiving assistance, they were allegedly arrested at Ejigbo Police Station, arraigned in court, and remanded under questionable conditions.

Isiak emphasized the urgency of resolving the matter, warning that inaction could escalate tensions and jeopardize industrial harmony and public peace in Lagos State.

He also accused some officers from Zone D, Lagos State Police Command of complicity in the drivers’ detention.

The conflict stems from the refusal of the South West Zonal leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to hold elections after the previous executive’s tenure ended in March 2022.

Attempts to impose new leadership on members without a fair election reportedly fueled the ongoing intra-union crisis.

Former Ejigbo PTD coordinator, Jimoh Abdurrahman, said the dispute has lingered since 2022.

He explained that those who reported the incident were detained and arraigned, while the faction allegedly responsible was released.

HURMA is demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into the actions of Ejigbo Police Station officers and Zone D personnel.

The group also called for disciplinary action against any officers found guilty of misconduct or abuse of power.