The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has announced a major reorganisation of its operations and workforce, citing repeated sabotage that threatened the operational safety of the 650,000 barrels per day plant.

In a letter dated September 24, 2025, signed by the Chief General Manager, Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the refinery said the shake-up became necessary after “many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns.”

The letter instructed affected staff to hand over all company property to their line managers and await clearance before receiving their entitlements, which the Finance Department would calculate in accordance with the conditions of service.

However, speculation about mass sackings has trailed the move, prompting clarifications from the company’s management.

Speaking with Punch on Friday, a senior refinery official, who confirmed the authenticity of the letter, insisted the exercise was misinterpreted.

The official stated, “Yes, the letter is correct. But the interpretation is wrong. The interpretation is that it affects some people because of certain things discovered in the refinery. It has nothing to do with unionism or anything like that.”

According to him, the reorganisation was targeted at plugging leakages and protecting the company’s assets, not sacking workers.

He said, “It doesn’t mean they have been sacked. That is incorrect. What was done was to put a check in place. It is more like a clean-up in the system to check where those sabotage and leakages are coming from and then address them. As soon as the issues are addressed, they will be reabsorbed. That is why it is not a sack and that word wasn’t used.”

The official further explained that the exercise was carried out suddenly to prevent those involved in sabotage from concealing their actions.

He further stated, “Some acts of sabotage have been noticed repeatedly and the company is only trying to safeguard its assets. Also, you cannot do things like this and give two weeks’ notice; otherwise, those in the act would cover up and complicate issues.”

He emphasised that the refinery remains fully operational, with both Nigerian and expatriate workers continuing to be actively engaged.

“As we speak, people are still working at the refinery. The people affected know themselves, and those who did not get the letter are not affected. Anyone who doesn’t have a hand in sabotage has nothing to worry about,” he said.