The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has called for the immediate release of four detained members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Ejigbo Unit in Lagos State, pending a transparent and impartial review of the allegations against them.

The Executive Director of the human rights and anti-corruption body, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, made the appeal at a press conference in Lagos yesterday. He identified the detainees as Kabiru Taiye Salami, Kazeem Adeniran, Saheed Alegbeleye and Oladeji Rahmon.

Isiak urged the police high command to ensure appropriate disciplinary action against any officer found culpable of misconduct or abuse of office in the matter.

He said: “We hereby bring to public attention a matter of urgent concern regarding the protracted intra-union crisis within the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Ejigbo Unit, Lagos State, and the alleged use of the police as an instrument of oppression.

“It has been brought to our notice that the crisis, allegedly orchestrated by the South West zonal leadership of PTD in conjunction with the umbrella body, NUPENG, to frustrate the conduct of a free and fair election capable of producing popular leadership at the PTD Ejigbo Unit, has degenerated into open confrontation.

We have received credible information that the fracas was initiated by a member of a faction of PTD allegedly acting in concert with the South West zonal leadership.”

Isiak expressed concern that when both parties reported the incident at Ejigbo Police Station, officers allegedly arrested the four members who had gone to lodge the complaint.

“It is further alleged that they were taken before different magistrates’ courts until a detention order was obtained under stringent and questionable conditions. The individuals are currently being held at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Centre.

“The circumstances surrounding their arrest and continued detention suggest possible complicity and abuse of power by officers under Zone D, Lagos State Command. Such actions, if not urgently addressed, may inflame tensions and threaten industrial harmony and public peace in Lagos State. We therefore demand an immediate and impartial investigation into the role played by officers at Ejigbo Police Station and Zone D, Lagos State Command.”

He urged the police high command and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to intervene promptly in the interest of justice, fairness and the protection of fundamental human rights.

“Swift action in this matter will restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and prevent further escalation of the dispute,” he added.