Electricity workers threaten to withdraw services over military’s invasion of business areas
By Jeffrey Agbo
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to withdraw its services nationwide following the military’s invasion of the Corporate Headquarters of Ikeja Electric and its Oshodi Business Unit.
In a statement on Thursday signed by the acting general secretary, Dominic Igwebike, the union condemned the military’s actions, describing them as barbaric.
“The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) is shocked with the level of gangsterism and unprofessional behavior exhibited this morning by the Nigeria Military when they took over the Corporate Headquarters of Ikeja Electric and its Oshodi Business Unit,” the statement said.
“On resumption of duty this morning, some Military Personnel from NAF Ikeja Base invaded the Corporate Headquarters and Oshodi Business Unit Offices of the Company, beating up and molesting every staff sighted, destroying their personal effects such as phones, laptops and vehicles as well as doors, office equipment and gadgets.
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“The action took place simultaneously at the Company’s Corporate Headquarters and Oshodi Business Unit Offices. They took away the Oshodi Business Unit’s Commercial Manager and a staff from Oshodi Business Unit and 13 drivers with their Pickup work vehicles from the Corporate Headquarters to their office where they were tortured and treated like criminals. They unleashed terror on our members.
“The Military carried out this brutal and barbaric action against our innocent members because they were disconnected by the Company for non-payment of their huge outstanding indebtedness.
“We denounce unequivocally this dastardly act from the Military and demand for immediate release of our adopted members, an undertaking from the IE Management, Federal Ministry of Power and the Defense Ministry to protect our members from any further traumatizing experience of this nature by calling the Military to order.”
Also, the union demanded that all staff property that were taken or destroyed should be replaced and those beaten should be taken to hospital for adequate medical treatment.
It also advised its members to stay out of the office till further notice, stating that they cannot work under brutality, intimidation and threat to life until their safety is assured.
“Otherwise, we will have no choice than to withdraw our services nationwide until we are guaranteed of safety and protection at the workplace,” the statement added.
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