Electricity workers in Nigeria have issued a three-day ultimatum to authorities, threatening to shut down electricity operations nationwide if the alleged assault and arrest of 10 Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) workers by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel in Bauchi State is not resolved by September 23. The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) said the incident has created fear among electricity workers and raised concerns about their safety while carrying out their duties.
Union Threatens Nationwide Shutdown Over Assault on Workers
Rilwanu Shehu, national deputy president of SSAEAC, announced the ultimatum on Monday during a protest in Bauchi. He said electricity workers were no longer comfortable carrying out their duties amid what he described as the alleged assault and intimidation of their colleagues. “We are scared, we are not safe and cannot continue with our activities,” he said.
The protest followed an alleged invasion of the JED operation office by NAF personnel and the arrest of some workers. Shehu said the ultimatum, which began on September 21, would expire on September 23. He urged the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant authorities to intervene before the dispute escalates.
Dispute Rooted in Unpaid Electricity Bills
According to the union, the dispute started on September 18 after JED disconnected electricity supply to NAF quarters along the Ningi-Kano Road over unpaid electricity bills. Shehu said JED had notified the NAF authorities before carrying out the disconnection. He alleged that NAF personnel later stormed the JED office in Bauchi, arrested 10 electricity workers and took them to an undisclosed location.
Shehu also alleged that the workers were assaulted during the incident, adding that some of them are currently receiving medical treatment. The SSAEAC official said the union would explore legal channels to protect its members and seek justice. “We will not tolerate any act of injustice, intimidation or harassment against our members,” he said.
Union Leaders Call for Intervention
“We give benefit of 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,” Shehu said.
Meanwhile, Sikamta Mshelinga, chairman of the Bauchi branch of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), said workers had been directed to stay away from their duties pending further instructions from the national leadership. The unions reported the alleged incident to the security authorities and called for urgent intervention to resolve the dispute.
