Dangote Sugar Denies Death of Seven Workers in Adamawa Plant

Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc yesterday denied that seven of its workers died during a protest that unsettled its plant in Numan, a town in Adamawa State.

The company refuted this claim in a statement its Managing Director, Mr. Ravindra Singhvi issued yesterday, saying there was neither protest by its staff members nor any case of death recorded in the community.

Some youths of Gyawana, the host community of Dangote Sugar Refinery, had protested against the company for allegedly sacking some workers from the community, among other complaints.

In its statement, however, the company said the attention of its management “has been drawn to an online report by Sahara Reporters about the deaths of some protesting staff members at our Sugar Refinery, in Numan, Adamawa State.

“We would like to state categorically that this report is an absolute falsehood. None of our staff protested. No life was lost as well. On several occasions, members of the Gyawana Youth Association have shut down the operations of the company while threatening staff members on duty to stop work.”

The firm said the activities of these hoodlums had been reported to security operatives following which the Commissioner of

Police and Director of Security Services, Adamawa State invited the executives of the association and asked them to desist from interfering and threatening the DSR staff and operations.

The firm added that it had obtained a restraining order from the Magistrate Court, Numan against the Gwayana Youth Association to protect its staff members from external violence and ensure seamless operations at the refinery.