Outrage In Kaduna As Mass Protest Erupts Against ‘Sabotage’ Of Dangote Refinery

Thousands of protesters stormed the streets of Kaduna on Monday, paralyzing activities in key areas as they rallied in defense of the Dangote Refinery.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The demonstrators accused a powerful fuel import cartel and sections of the labour movement of orchestrating moves to cripple Nigeria’s refining ambitions.

The protest, organized by the group Partners for National Economic Progress (PANEP), carried the theme: “National Unity Against Sabotage: Reclaiming Our Petroleum Sector for the People.”

Gathering at Murtala Mohammed Square, the crowd marched through major streets including Alkali Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, and Muhammadu Buhari Way. They brandished placards with inscriptions such as “Protect Local Refining,” “End Fuel Import Cartel,” and “Support Dangote Refinery.”

Speaking at the rally, PANEP leader Igwe Ude-Umanta said the action was part of a nationwide campaign that kicked off in Abuja on October 2.

“This struggle is against the cartel that destroyed our public refineries, killed the textile industry, and now wants to strangle the Dangote Refinery,” he declared. “Kaduna was once a textile hub before sabotage killed it. Now they want to repeat that with petroleum. We will resist them.”

He also accused the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) of colluding with fuel importers, describing their recent actions as “economic terrorism.”

Another protest leader, Dahiru Maishanu, insisted that what PENGASSAN had done was “not unionism but sabotage,” urging the Federal Government to clamp down on the union’s leadership.

The group demanded urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu to ensure that local refineries receive crude oil at the same price given to foreign refiners.

“President Tinubu must stamp his feet. Local refineries need a level playing field. Anything less will kill investor confidence,” their statement read.

Protesters also accused the cartel of blocking sales of locally produced LPG and aviation fuel to sustain high prices and monopoly profits.

They hailed the Dangote Refinery for driving down the prices of petrol and diesel, describing it as “economic salvation” for Nigerians.

“If the Dangote Refinery fails, no investor will ever risk money in Nigeria again,” Maishanu warned.

The Kaduna rally comes amid a simmering dispute between PENGASSAN and the refinery’s management. The standoff, which began on September 29, nearly triggered a shutdown before the Federal Government brokered a truce through Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

PENGASSAN had accused the refinery of unjust transfers, wrongful sackings, and preference for foreign staff—claims denied by the company. The government intervened, citing risks to national energy security.