Electricity workers vow nationwide shutdown over alleged assault by soldiers

The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, in Bauchi State, has threatened to shut down power supply over the alleged assault of its members by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF.

The Deputy President of the association, Rilwanu Shehu, stated this during a peaceful demonstration staged by the workers on Monday in Bauchi.

He said the demonstration was against the alleged invasion and assault of its members by NAF personnel.

Shehu said some soldiers invaded the Jos Electricity Distribution, JEDC, Operation Office in Bauchi metropolis on Sept. 18 and accused the electricity workers of disconnecting NAF facilities.

He said the soldiers assaulted and detained 10 electricity workers, adding that the victims were currently receiving treatment at home.

The deputy president urged the workers to remain calm and law-abiding, as the union was working with the police and Department of State Security Service, DSS, to resolve the matter.

“We are scared, we are not safe and cannot continue with our activities. We give the benefit of the doubt to the security operatives, the police and DSS to intervene and resolve the matter amicably.

“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.

Shehu said that the association had issued a three-day ultimatum to the authorities from Monday, Sept. 21, to Wednesday, Sept. 25, to address the matter or face total blackout.

However, the NAF management in Bauchi is yet to comment on the allegations despite messages sent to them.