BEDC Strike: NUEE alleges abduction, brutalisation of Edo chairman, threatens nationwide strike

The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, has condemned the alleged abduction and brutalisation of its Edo State chairman and another member by suspected security operatives.

DAILY POST reports that the Zonal Vice Chairman of the union, West Zone, Engr. David Ehigiamuose, made the condemnation on Friday, October 23, 2026, at a press briefing in Benin City.

Ehigiamuose said the West Zone comprises Edo, Delta, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Kwara and Oyo states.

The press statement was titled “Abduction, Brutalisation and Arrest of NUEE Edo State Chairman and Others.”

He alleged that the Edo State chairman of NUEE, Comrade William Uwumarogie, and Comrade Mathew Eromobor were abducted, brutalised and arrested between 7:20 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

He said the duo were abducted while members of the union were keeping guard at the headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, on Akpakpava Road, Benin City, in continuation of their legitimate industrial action over unresolved issues with the electricity distribution company.

The West Zonal Vice Chairman alleged that a team of armed security personnel arrived in a Toyota Hiace bus and a Hilux van and invaded the BEDC headquarters in what he described as a Gestapo-style operation before abducting the union officials.

According to him, the union was disturbed and worried about the alleged abduction, brutalisation and arrest of its Edo State chairman and Eromobor.

“The team, comprising mobile policemen, regular police officers and Nigerian Army personnel, attacked, brutalised, arrested and whisked them away to an unknown destination.

“Their phones and personal belongings were confiscated by the military personnel, and they were treated like armed robbers.

“This is a clear violation of the conciliatory resolution reached at the meeting held with the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment in Abuja, that no worker should be victimised,” he said.

Ehigiamuose said the two men were, however, released at about 1:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23, after allegedly suffering severe brutalisation.

He added that they were receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The union official further alleged that members woke up to find a combined team of heavily armed military and police personnel occupying the BEDC headquarters in Benin City, as though they were preparing for war.

The union demanded the immediate withdrawal of military personnel from the BEDC headquarters and adequate medical treatment for the affected members.

It also demanded the immediate and unconditional return of the phones and personal belongings allegedly confiscated from the members within 24 hours.

While urging its members in Edo State to remain committed to the struggle, Ehigiamuose threatened that the union would have no option but to escalate the industrial action nationwide if the belongings were not returned and the military personnel did not withdraw from the BEDC headquarters following the briefing.

He said the Edo State Government and the management of BEDC should be held responsible for any breakdown of industrial peace arising from the alleged provocation.

When contacted, the Army spokesperson in Edo State, Kennedy Anyanwu, said the incident had nothing to do with the Army, as the union leader was not arrested by the Army.

However, efforts to obtain a response from the police were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, had yet to respond to calls and messages sent to her as of the time of filing this report.