PENGASSAN Urges FG to Expose Sponsors of Terrorism Amid Rising Insecurity in Nigeria

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 threatens national development and citizens’ safety. The union’s President, Festus Osifo, made the plea during a press conference in Abuja following the union’s National Executive Council meeting.

The demand comes as the National Assembly pushes for stronger measures to tackle insecurity, including classifying kidnapping, hostage-taking, and related crimes as terrorism. Both the Senate and House of Representatives have advocated for exposing financiers of terrorist activities, arguing that this would strengthen efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the country. The proposal, spearheaded by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, aims to give security agencies broader powers to track and prosecute perpetrators.

Osifo stressed that while the appointment of a new Minister of Defence is a positive step, personnel changes alone cannot resolve the country’s security crisis. “Beyond changing personnel, the government must act decisively to stop this mess,” he said. He also questioned why, despite claims that authorities know the sponsors of terrorist groups, no public action has been taken against them, urging the government to hold these individuals accountable to serve as a deterrent.

Beyond security concerns, PENGASSAN highlighted the economic struggles Nigerians face, including soaring market prices despite reported reductions in inflation. Osifo called for macroeconomic policies that translate into tangible relief, particularly in controlling food prices and supporting farmers to return to their fields. He emphasized that national security and economic stability are closely linked.

On labour issues, PENGASSAN updated that its industrial dispute with Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd remains unresolved two months after a nationwide industrial action. Osifo also urged oil and gas firms to review wages in light of the naira devaluation and the growing global demand for Nigerian expertise in the sector, highlighting the need to protect workers’ rights alongside national security efforts.

source: punch