NUEE raises alarm over alleged abduction, torture of electricity workers in Benue

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has raised the alarm over the alleged abduction and torture of electricity workers in Makurdi, Benue State, by suspected thugs linked to the state Government House following the disconnection of electricity supply over an alleged meter bypass.

The union alleged that the attackers invaded the Benue State office of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc on Wednesday, October 21, abducted the State Operating Officer, Mr Samson Abah, and other staff members whose number had yet to be confirmed, and took them to the River Benue bridge, where they were allegedly assaulted and tortured.

In a statement issued by its Acting General Secretary, Comrade Dominic Igwebike, NUEE condemned the incident, describing it as a grave threat to the lives and safety of electricity workers carrying out their official duties.

According to the union, the attackers, who were allegedly armed with weapons suspected to be guns and machetes, invaded the JED district office in Makurdi, claiming that the disconnection of electricity supply to the Government House had embarrassed their principal, who had just returned from a foreign trip.

NUEE alleged that the attackers accused the electricity workers of working for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), insisting that the disconnection had angered officials at the Government House.

The union said the electricity supply was disconnected after its staff allegedly discovered that officials at the Government House had bypassed the electricity meter.

It further alleged that the abducted workers were treated like criminals, assaulted and tortured, while their phones and other personal belongings were seized.

The statement added that the attackers allegedly demanded money for the workers’ release and forced them to energise an illegally installed transformer and reconnect electricity supply to the Government House.

Condemning the incident, NUEE said it would no longer tolerate threats, intimidation and physical attacks against electricity workers, particularly when they were performing their lawful duties.

The union said the Makurdi incident occurred barely weeks after another reported attack on JED workers in Bauchi State, where personnel of the Nigerian Air Force allegedly brutalised staff on September 18, 2026.

Expressing concern over what it described as a recurring threat to the safety of its members, NUEE called on electricity distribution companies to take urgent measures to protect workers against attacks by customers and other individuals.

“We vehemently reject this continuous threat to the lives of electricity workers across the country and provocation by customers, especially from government institutions,” the union stated.

NUEE demanded that the affected workers be taken to hospital for proper medical attention and that their seized phones and other personal belongings be replaced.

It also demanded an apology from the Benue State Governor over the incident and called on the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible were held accountable.

The union further called on JED management to provide a clear undertaking.