The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has accused suspected thugs from the Benue State Government House of invading the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc office in Makurdi and abducting and torturing some staff over the disconnection of electricity supply to the Government House.
The union, in a statement on Thursday signed by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, said the incident occurred on October 21, 2026, after officials discovered an alleged meter bypass at the Government House.
According to NUEE, the attackers abducted the Benue State Operating Officer, Samson Abah, and an unconfirmed number of other employees before taking them to the River Benue bridge.
The union alleged that the attackers were armed with weapons suspected to be guns and machetes and claimed that the Government House was embarrassed by the disconnection following the discovery of the alleged meter bypass.
NUEE said the attackers accused the workers of working for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and subjected them to assault, torture and intimidation.
“Furthermore, the abducted employees were assaulted, tortured and brutalized as if they were common criminals. They seized their phones, other personal items and demanded money for their release,” the statement said.
The union further alleged that the workers were forced to energise an illegally installed transformer and restore electricity supply to the Government House.
Condemning the incident, NUEE said it was unacceptable for electricity workers to face threats and attacks while carrying out their official duties.
“We vehemently reject this continuous threat to the lives of Electricity Workers across the Country and provocation by customers especially from government institutions,” the statement added.
The union called on the management of distribution companies to ensure the safety of their employees, particularly those working in the field.
It also demanded that the affected workers be taken to hospital for medical treatment, their allegedly stolen phones and other personal belongings replaced, and an apology issued by the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia.
NUEE urged the relevant authorities to summon those responsible for the alleged attack and hold them accountable.
The union also demanded an undertaking from JED management to protect its members against further attacks and intimidation.
Warning that the incident could disrupt operations, NUEE said its members might withdraw from the office if adequate safety guarantees were not provided.
“If this occupational safety assurances are not provided by JED, our members are advised to stay out of the office till further notice because we cannot continue to work under this brutalities, intimidations and threats to life until we are assured of the safety of our lives and properties,” the statement said.
The union said the latest incident came as it was still recovering from the alleged brutalisation of JED staff in Bauchi State by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force on September 18, 2026.
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