The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has warned that it may suspend electricity sector operations nationwide following an alleged assault on its members by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Bauchi State.
The union issued the warning during a peaceful protest held in Bauchi on Monday, demanding action over claims that electricity workers were attacked and detained by security personnel.
Union Accuses Security Personnel of Attacking Workers
The Deputy President of NUEE, Mr Rilwanu Shehu, said the protest followed an alleged invasion of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) operation office in Bauchi metropolis.
According to him, the incident occurred on September 18 when some NAF personnel allegedly entered the facility and accused workers of disconnecting electricity supply to Air Force installations.
Shehu alleged that 10 electricity workers were assaulted and detained during the incident.
He said the affected workers were currently receiving medical attention at their homes.
Union Gives Authorities Three-Day Deadline
The NUEE official urged members to remain calm while the union engages relevant authorities, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to resolve the dispute.
He, however, warned that the union would take industrial action if the matter was not addressed.
“We are scared, we are not safe and cannot continue with our activities,” Shehu said.
He added that the union was giving security agencies an opportunity to investigate and resolve the matter peacefully.
Possible Nationwide Blackout Threat
Shehu said the union had issued a three-day ultimatum beginning Monday, September 21, and ending Wednesday, September 25.
He warned that failure to address the allegations could lead to a shutdown of electricity sector activities across Nigeria.
“We will ground the activities of the electricity industry in the entire nation if nothing is done to the NAF men who assaulted our staff,” he said.
Air Force Yet to Respond
The management of the Nigerian Air Force in Bauchi had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing the report.
Attempts to obtain comments from the NAF authorities were reportedly unsuccessful.
The dispute comes amid ongoing concerns over workplace safety and relations between security agencies and civilian institutions.
