The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to withdraw its members from the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc office in Makurdi, Benue State, following allegations that workers were abducted and tortured after disconnecting power to the state Government House.
The union said its members would stay away from the office until management provided adequate guarantees for their safety.
In a statement signed by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, NUEE alleged that suspected thugs invaded the JED district office on October 21, 2026, following the disconnection of electricity supply to the Government House over an alleged meter bypass.
The union claimed that the attackers abducted the Benue State Operating Officer, Samson Abah, and an unspecified number of other employees before taking them to the River Benue Bridge.
According to NUEE, the assailants were armed with weapons suspected to be guns and machetes. It alleged that the workers were assaulted, tortured and threatened, while their phones and other personal belongings were seized.
The union further claimed that the attackers demanded money for the workers’ release and forced them to restore electricity to the Government House through what it described as an illegally installed transformer.
NUEE said the attackers had accused the workers of acting on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, although it did not provide further details of the allegation.
Condemning the incident, the union said attacks and intimidation against electricity workers threatened their safety and undermined their ability to carry out official duties.
It noted that the alleged incident came weeks after another reported attack on JED workers in Bauchi State, where personnel of the Nigerian Air Force were accused of brutalising employees on September 18, 2026.
The union called on electricity distribution companies to take responsibility for protecting workers while on duty, insisting that employees should not face violence for implementing operational decisions.
Among its demands, NUEE called for adequate medical treatment for the affected workers, replacement of their seized phones and other belongings, and a written apology from the Benue State Governor.
It also urged the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.
The union further demanded a formal commitment from JED management to protect its members against future attacks, warning that its workers would not return to the Makurdi office without adequate safety assurances.
NUEE maintained that electricity workers should not be expected to perform their duties in an environment where they faced threats to their lives and property.
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