The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on the Federal Government to publicly identify and prosecute sponsors of terrorism, warning that escalating insecurity poses a grave threat to national development and citizen safety.
Speaking at a press conference after the union’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said kidnappings and terrorist attacks have worsened in recent weeks, stressing that personnel changes alone, including the appointment of a new Defence Minister, would not resolve Nigeria’s security crisis.
“We have heard several times that authorities know the sponsors of these terrorists. The question is, why haven’t they been named, exposed, and prosecuted? Nigerians are tired of endless condemnations and one-minute silences. The government must act decisively,” Osifo declared.
The union’s demand echoes recent resolutions by the National Assembly, which urged the government to expose terrorism financiers and classify kidnapping, hostage-taking, and related crimes as acts of terrorism. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has proposed that offenders, including informants, logistics providers, and accomplices, face the death penalty.
Osifo also pressed for the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralised policing would strengthen citizen protection. He criticised political resistance to the idea, warning that the interests of a small elite should not outweigh the security needs of millions.
Highlighting the impact on education, he noted that schools in northern Nigeria have been forced to shut down, leaving children unable to sit for examinations. “A country that cannot protect its citizens cannot talk about roads or investments. Security must come first,” he said.
Beyond security, PENGASSAN raised concerns about Nigeria’s economic hardships, pointing to soaring food prices despite reported declines in inflation. Osifo urged the government to ensure macroeconomic policies translate into tangible relief for households, stressing that Nigerians want results at the micro level, not just statistics.
On labour matters, the union said its dispute with Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd remains unresolved despite ongoing dialogue. It also called for wage reviews across the oil and gas sector to prevent brain drain, noting that Nigerian engineers are in demand globally but face poor remuneration at home.
The NEC meeting also marked the retirement of Union General Secretary Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, who at 60 stepped down after years of service. In his farewell remarks, he emphasised the enduring role of unions in defending workers’ welfare against capital interests.
