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….Demands Governor’s apology
Union condemns attack v, demands medical care and compensation for abducted employees
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened industrial action over the alleged invasion of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc office in Makurdi, Benue State, by suspected thugs allegedly linked to the Benue State Government House, accusing them of abducting, assaulting and torturing electricity workers over the disconnection of power supply to the Government House.
In a press release signed by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, the union condemning the incident said it occurred on October 21, 2026, after electricity supply to the Government House was reportedly disconnected following the discovery of an alleged meter bypass by government officials.
The union described the incident as a grave threat to the safety of electricity workers and demanded urgent intervention by the relevant authorities.
According to the statement, the attackers allegedly stormed the JED district office in Makurdi, armed with weapons suspected to be guns and machetes, and accused the workers of embarrassing their principal, who had reportedly just returned from a foreign trip. The assailants also allegedly accused the employees of working for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
“The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) condemns totally the invasion of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc Benue State Makurdi office by thugs from Benue State Government House,” the statement declared, describing the reported action as unacceptable and a direct assault on workers carrying out their official duties.
The union alleged that the attackers abducted the Benue State Operating Officer, Mr. Samson Abah, alongside an unconfirmed number of other employees, and took them to the River Benue Bridge. It further claimed that the workers were subjected to physical assault, torture and intimidation, while their mobile phones and other personal belongings were seized.
NUEE also alleged that the abducted employees were subjected to demands for money before their release. The union described the reported treatment of the workers as barbaric, insisting that electricity employees should not be treated as criminals for enforcing operational procedures or carrying out legitimate disconnection exercises.
“The abducted employees were assaulted, tortured and brutalised as if they were common criminals,” the statement said, adding that the attackers allegedly forced the workers to energise an illegally installed transformer and restore electricity supply to the Government House.
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The dispute reportedly arose after JED disconnected the Government House over the alleged discovery of a meter bypass. The union maintained that the workers were targeted because of the disconnection, stressing that no customer, regardless of political position or institutional influence, should resort to violence against electricity personnel over an electricity supply dispute.
The Makurdi incident, according to NUEE, comes amid concerns over the safety of electricity workers following an earlier reported confrontation involving JED personnel in Bauchi State. The union said it was still grappling with the alleged brutalisation of JED workers by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force on September 18, 2026, describing the recurrence of such incidents as deeply troubling.
Expressing concern over what it called a growing pattern of threats against electricity workers, NUEE urged the management of electricity distribution companies across the country to strengthen workplace security and ensure that employees are protected while performing their duties. It warned that continued intimidation could undermine staff safety and the effective delivery of electricity services.
The union outlined a series of demands, including immediate medical attention for the affected workers, the replacement of their allegedly stolen phones and personal belongings, and a formal apology from the Benue State Governor. It also called on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and hold anyone found responsible accountable for the alleged acts of violence and intimidation.
NUEE further demanded a formal undertaking from JED management guaranteeing the safety and protection of its members against future attacks. The union said its members could no longer be expected to work in an environment where carrying out routine duties allegedly exposed them to abduction, torture, threats and extortion.
Issuing a warning over the possible consequences of failing to address its concerns, the union said its members had been advised to stay away from their offices if adequate occupational safety assurances were not provided. Such a move, if implemented, could disrupt operations, making urgent engagement among the union, JED management and relevant government authorities imperative.
The union’s position was unequivocal: electricity workers must not be subjected to violence for enforcing established procedures, and disputes over electricity disconnection should be resolved through lawful channels rather than intimidation. Its statement ended with the cautionary declaration, “To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” underscoring its determination to resist further attacks on its members.
NUEE has therefore called on the Benue State Government, security agencies, labour authorities and JED management to act without delay: ensure the affected workers receive appropriate medical care, investigate the allegations, recover or replace their missing belongings, issue the demanded apology and establish enforceable measures to prevent a recurrence.
