The Dangote Group has dismissed 109 workers at Obajana Cement Company in Kogi State, after being found guilty of various offences.
Abdullahi Magaji, the coordinator of the company’s Patrol Team, announced this to journalists on Tuesday at the Obajana premises of the company.
He said that the dismissed workers were among the 244 suspects arrested between May and November.
According to him, they include erring drivers, owners of illegal haulage, and those stealing the company’s properties among others.
He said that another 115 workers were being remanded in prison custody pending the determination of their cases.
“I am happy to inform you that we have arrested and recovered five stolen trucks; but unfortunately, the products have been stolen.
“It is interesting to note that one of the kingpins, Samaila Yakubu, who specialised in stealing our trucks in collaboration with some drivers and buyers, has also been arrested.
“It is this group that has been terrorising our trucks in the South East and South South axis,” Magaji, a former commissioner of police said.
The coordinator said that the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had directed that misconducts by drivers should be reduced to the barest minimum.
“We have pasted warnings clearly on the cab of all our trucks prohibiting carrying of goods and passengers apart from company’s products.
“We are calling on the law enforcement agencies to support the efforts of the Dangote Group in arresting those who break the laws of the company,’’ he said
He explained that the efforts of the patrol team had helped to reduce accidents in the fleet, adding that more measures would be put in place to reduce accidents.
The major duties of the National Patrol Unit of Dangote Group are to stop illegal haulage and reckless driving by Dangote drivers.
The patrol unit also prevents diversion of products, driving of Dangote trucks by unauthorised drivers, and enlightenment of drivers on traffic rules among others.
(NAN)