Nigeria, Oct. 2 -- The recent sacking of workers at the Dangote Refinery has been linked to a WhatsApp group created by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Sources familiar with the matter told this newspaper that trouble began when officials of PENGASSAN reached out to Dangote Refinery's employees, inviting them to join the union and promising protection.

The sources said a WhatsApp group was created, where PENGASSAN officials shared forms with the refinery's employees and requested daily reports on the refinery operations.

However, the sources claimed the group became a platform for sharing sensitive information about operations, which the management viewed as a breach of trust and a threat ...