The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has laid off all its Nigerian employees, barely a day after most of them became members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The mass sack was revealed on Wednesday by political analyst Imran Wakili, who shared a company memo on social media.

In the document, signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the refinery said the dismissals were part of a “total reorganisation” of the facility. It also pointed to reported cases of sabotage in some units as part of the justification for the decision.

The affected workers were ordered to return all company property to their managers and complete exit procedures, while the finance department was directed to calculate their severance benefits for payment.

Management, however, thanked the staff for their services during their time with the company.

The development comes amid ongoing tensions between the refinery and PENGASSAN over workers’ rights to unionize. Labor leaders have condemned the move, warning it could spark wider unrest in the oil and gas industry.