The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG has refuted reports alleging that two tankers designated for edible vegetable oil were intercepted while conveying diesel in Lagos, describing the narrative as misleading and lacking merit.
https://www.digital.zenithbank.com/ZEQ/ZEQ-jan-2026/index.html#p=1In a statement signed by Comrade Tope Ajagbe on behalf of concerned Lagos tanker drivers, the union clarified that the trucks in question were not intercepted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as widely reported, but by PTD operatives during a routine enforcement exercise in early July 2026. The vehicles were subsequently handed over to NAFDAC for prosecution and further regulatory action.
The union emphasized that the interception was part of PTD’s stringent framework to protect public safety across the petroleum value chain — from loading and transportation to distribution and final delivery. It reaffirmed its collaboration with regulatory bodies, security agencies, and intelligence operatives to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols.
Addressing the controversy, PTD noted that tankers are not permanently restricted to a single product unless specifically branded or certified for exclusive use. Logistics companies often deploy vehicles interchangeably, provided proper cleaning and safety standards are observed. The union stressed that no evidence has been presented to suggest adulteration or intent to deceive, insisting that the claim of a “serious breach” was exaggerated and should be discountenanced.
The statement also condemned what it described as malicious campaigns of calumny by individuals such as Tajudeen Usman, who it said is neither a tanker driver nor a member of the union. PTD accused him of attempting to malign the union and sow division, urging stakeholders and the public to disregard his remarks.
“For the record, PTD and its parent union, NUPENG, maintain cordial working relationships with NAFDAC and other relevant government agencies. We will continue to uphold the highest standards of safety and accountability in the transportation of petroleum products. Tajudeen Usman, who claims to lead the outlawed Edible Tanker Drivers (ETD), has no legitimate membership. Neither he nor his associates are tanker drivers, marketers, or distributors; they are persona non grata.
“Furthermore, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has publicly disowned Tajudeen and the so‑called ETD. His attempts to malign the union and sow division deserve nothing but disdain. PTD and NUPENG remain united, with over four decades of proven contributions to the petroleum industry,” the statement read.
Reaffirming its unity and resilience, the union concluded: “Workers united will never be defeated.”
