By Our Reporter

Tension is mounting in Rukubi, a rural community in Nasarawa state, following allegations of physical assault, harassment, and forced dismissal of local security personnel at Olam Rice Farm Rukubi.

Investigation by Nasarawa Eye revealed that the incident, which reportedly occurred on February 25th, 2025, at about 11 p.m., has triggered calls for investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
According to multiple accounts gathered from staff and supervisors, the General Manager (GM) of the company’s Rukubi operation, Mr Brijesh Nandal allegedly stormed the campus gate and met duty supervisor identified as Mr. Betu.

The GM reportedly accused one of the guards, Jasper Daudu, of sleeping on duty. The duty supervisor allegedly explained that Jasper had been granted a one-hour rest period, in line with established practice for night shifts. However, witnesses claim the GM responded angrily and physically assaulted the guard with a stick allegedly brought to the scene.

The situation reportedly escalated as other guards — including Yahuza Usman and Retu Kukora — were also allegedly assaulted for similar accusations. Witnesses further claim the GM ordered all guards to lie on the ground at the main entrance gate and subjected them to verbal abuse, describing them in degrading terms.

The Chief Security Officer (CSO), who was said to be on routine patrol around 1 a.m., reportedly found the guards lying on the floor and instructed them to stand up. Later, the GM allegedly ordered the dismissal of the affected security operatives.

The General Supervisor of the King’s Guard Security unit, Mr. Akolo Innocent, is said to have formally reported the matter to the company’s Human Resources department on February 28. However, sources allege that instead of a transparent investigation, steps were taken that resulted in the dismissal or forced retirement of the affected guards.

Two Nigerian officials within the company — identified by sources as Kabir and Sholumesi — have been accused by concerned staff of attempting to suppress the matter. Efforts by independent observers to obtain their comments were reportedly unsuccessful.

In a development that has further fueled controversy, it is understood that the GM later offered apologies in connection with the incident. This has raised serious concerns among staff and community members.
“If an apology was offered, it amounts to an admission that wrongdoing occurred,” one source said. “Why then were the victims dismissed instead of being reinstated?”
This question has become central to the growing agitation in Rukubi
Community leaders and workers insist that the issue goes beyond workplace misconduct. They argue that no expatriate manager — or any manager, regardless of nationality — has the right to physically assault or degrade Nigerian workers in their own country.
“This does not speak well of corporate responsibility,” a local stakeholder said. “Nigeria is not a place where anyone should feel entitled to maltreat citizens without consequences.”
Observers note that multinational companies operating in Nigeria are expected to adhere strictly to both Nigerian law and international labor standards. Any deviation, they warn, risks damaging long-term relationships between foreign investors and host communities.
Human rights advocates are now calling for:
An independent investigation by relevant security and human rights agencies.
Accountability for any individual found culpable.
Immediate reinstatement of the dismissed guards pending the outcome of investigations.
Clear enforcement of corporate policies against assault, harassment, and workplace abuse.
Stakeholders are also urging Olam Group at both national and international levels to review the conduct of its managerial staff and ensure strict compliance with Nigerian labor laws.
As investigations are being demanded, the central question remains: If an apology was made, why were the alleged victims dismissed?

If the company has previously repatriated expatriate staff for gross violations of workers’ rights, there is no reason the General Manager should not also be sent back under similar circumstances.

For many in Rukubi, justice will not only mean accountability — it will mean restoring the dignity and livelihoods of the affected workers.

As of the time of this report, efforts by Nasarawa Eye to speak with the Community Relations Manager of the company, Alhaji Abubakar Ogashuwa, regarding the accident were unsuccessful.