Nigerian Air Force Under Fire As Ikeja Electric Workers Demand Justice For Brutal Assault

The union called the incident a severe act of intimidation and warned that it would withdraw services nationwide unless the safety of its members is guaranteed. In a statement, NUEE’s acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, described the attack, stating, “This morning, military personnel from the NAF Ikeja Base raided both the Corporate Headquarters and Oshodi Business Unit of the company, physically assaulting and harassing every staff member they encountered. They also destroyed personal belongings such as phones, laptops, vehicles, office equipment, and doors.”

The assault took place simultaneously at the two locations, where the attackers also detained the Oshodi Business Unit’s Commercial Manager and 13 drivers, hauling them away in their work vehicles, torturing them, and treating them as criminals. “They unleashed terror on our members,” Igwebike added.

The union claims that the assault was a response to the disconnection of the Air Force Base’s electricity due to unpaid bills.

Describing the attack as “brutal and barbaric,” NUEE has called for swift intervention from both the Federal Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Defence. The union demands the immediate release of its affected members, compensation for the stolen or damaged property, and medical treatment for those injured.

“The union demands that IE Management, the Ministry of Power, and the Ministry of Defence ensure the safety of our members and prevent any further intimidation or violence,” the statement read. “Until we are assured of our members’ safety, we will be forced to suspend services nationwide.”

Reports indicate that around 15 detained workers have been released, but many remain in serious pain from untreated injuries. Their phones and laptops remain confiscated, although company vehicles have been returned.

Tensions between Ikeja Electric and NAF heightened following a 12-day power outage at the Air Force Base, despite claims of regular payments for electricity. NAF warned that the continued blackout was causing dangerous overheating of military equipment, including bombs and rockets, raising fears of a potential explosion.

“These bombs cannot be exposed to extreme heat. The longer this blackout continues, the greater the risk of an explosion,” NAF stated, referring to the tragic 2002 Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast.