This was disclosed in a letter signed by Caretaker Committee
Chairman and Secretary of the Branch, Abdulfaitai Muhammed and Eseoghene
Choice, to the zonal chairman PENGASSAN Lagos Zone.

According to the embattled workers, Aliko Dangote instructed
his company’s security to not allow Nigerian workers, except Indians and
Pakistanis, entrance into the refinery.

The workers said in quick succession they received an email
from the company for withdrawal of staff buses.

Also, the workers said at about 9:50 pm on Wednesday, they
received an email of mass appointments termination by the management of Dangote
Refinery.

The workers said Dangote also gave a directive to the
company’s security department to arrest and detain them.

The workers said these treatments meted on them came after
they voluntarily joined PENGASSAN as prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution.

Consequently, the workers described Dangote’s actions as
direct violation of Section 40 of the 1990 Constitution, which guarantees every
citizen the right to freedom of assembly and association.

“Management physically attempted to verify whether staff
voluntarily consented to join PENGASSAN by circulating a list for staff to
confirm their membership.

“A meeting was held with members, during which they were
asked to indicate their membership in PENGANSSAN. Overwhelmingly, staff at the
Refinery affirmed “YES”.

“At about 5:00 p.m., we received information that management
sent a directive that all shift buses were “under maintenance”, and that
workers should use their personal funds for transportation to work.

“Members had to spend up to 4,000 to report to duty. Despite
this provocation, our members were calm and non-confrontational, and still made
sacrifices to ensure they were present at work.

“Later in the evening, between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
today, staff who had joined PENGASSAN were denied

entry into the refinery and were informed that it was on the
orders of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and only expatriates (Indians, Pakistanis and
other nationals) were permitted to enter.

“At about 9:59 pm today, workers received a mass termination
email. The termination letter was addressed to “All Staff” of Dangote Petroleum
Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE”

“Targeted Intimidation of Union Leaders: We intercepted an
internal directive to the security department ordering the arrest and detention
of the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman by the GM-Human Asset Management (see
attached).

“This is a direct act of intimidation against a union
leader.

“There are indications that further dismissals will be
communicated tomorrow (Friday), deepening the attack on workers’ rights and
union activities.

“These actions by Alhaji Aliko Dangote are in direct
violation of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freely
assemble and associate, including forming or belonging to a trade union for the
protection of their interests.

“These events clearly amount to targeted intimidation and
victimisation of workers for exercising their constitutional right to freedom
of association. The Caretaker Committee remains committed to the struggle and
seeks urgent intervention and guidance from the leadership,” the letter stated.

Dangote Refinery, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the
mass appointments termination.

This comes hours after reports that the
650,000-barrel-per-day refinery sacked Nigerian workers over their membership
in PENGASSAN.

Reacting, PENGASSAN president, Festus Osifo, has vowed that
the sacked workers will be recalled by the company.

PENGASSAN has also summoned an emergency National Executive
Council meeting over the matter.