Tension In Benue As Electricity Union Demands Safety Guarantees After Alleged Attack on Staff

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to withdraw its members from the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc office in Makurdi, Benue State, indefinitely over allegations that workers were abducted, tortured and intimidated by suspected government house thugs.

The union said its members would stop reporting to the office unless JED management provided adequate assurances that their safety would be protected while carrying out their official duties.

According to Bush Radio Academy, NUEE condemned an alleged attack on the company’s Benue State office on October 21, 2026, describing the incident as another disturbing case of violence against electricity workers.

In a statement signed by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, the union alleged that the Benue State Operating Officer, Samson Abah, and an unspecified number of other employees were abducted and taken to the River Benue Bridge.

The union claimed that the incident occurred after electricity supply to the Benue State Government House was disconnected. According to its account, the suspected attackers, who were allegedly armed with weapons believed to be guns and machetes, stormed the company’s district office in Makurdi in response to the disconnection.

NUEE further alleged that the assailants demanded money before releasing the affected workers and forced them to restore electricity supply to the Government House through what the union described as an illegally installed transformer.

Reacting to the incident, the union urged electricity distribution companies to prioritise the safety and welfare of their employees, stressing that workers should not face violence or intimidation for carrying out operational decisions.

NUEE also called on JED management to ensure that the affected employees received adequate medical attention and replace their mobile phones and other personal belongings allegedly seized during the incident.

In addition, the union appealed to the Benue State Governor to issue a written apology over the alleged treatment of the workers.

The union maintained that electricity personnel could not be expected to perform their duties effectively in an environment where they faced alleged brutality, threats and intimidation.

NUEE warned that unless JED management provided sufficient guarantees for the protection of its members, it would proceed with the threatened indefinite withdrawal from the Makurdi office.

The allegations surrounding the incident have not been independently verified, and the account provided did not include a response from the Benue State Government or JED management.