The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has warned of a possible nationwide shutdown after alleging that staff members of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) were assaulted.
A statement by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, said the decision became necessary after workers on duty at Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation, Imo State, were allegedly beaten, held hostage at gunpoint, and some were abducted by armed police officers, said to be acting on the orders of the state.
The police officers reportedly entered the substation’s control rooms by force, vandalising equipment and disrupting operations.
Workers on duty were allegedly held at gunpoint, assaulted, and some were abducted to an undisclosed location.
According to the statement, the union also said it has already directed its members to halt power supply operations in Imo State until further notice.
It threatened to withdraw services nationwide unless authorities took immediate action to guarantee the safety and protection of electricity workers across the country.
The statement read, “NUEE expresses deep shock and outrage over the level of gangsterism and unprofessional conduct displayed today (yesterday) by police officers acting on behalf of Imo State government.
“These officers forcibly invaded and vandalised the control rooms at Egbu 132/33KV Transmission Substation in an attempt to compel operators to grant an illegal outage.
“During the invasion, the officers allegedly disconnected power at gunpoint and held all staff on duty hostage, forcing them to open breakers under duress.
“They further unleashed violence on our members, beating, molesting and assaulting every staff member in sight. Personal belongings, including phones, laptops, and vehicles, were destroyed, while CCTV cameras were also vandalised.
“The police officers executed this brutal and barbaric assault on innocent workers and abducted them to an undisclosed location.
“NUEE strongly condemns this reprehensible act and demands the immediate release of our abducted members. We also call for a formal undertaking from TCN management, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Inspector General of Police to ensure the protection of our members and to prevent any further traumatising incidents of this nature by putting the police in check.
“Additionally, we demand the immediate replacement of all staff property damaged or taken away, and we insist that all assaulted workers be provided with full medical attention.
“Consequently, NUEE directs all members to stay away from the office until further notice, as we cannot continue to work under conditions of brutality, intimidation, and threats to life. Work can only resume when the safety of staff and property is fully guaranteed.
“Failure to address these issues promptly will leave the union with no alternative but to withdraw our services nationwide until adequate safety and protection are secured at all workplaces.”
