The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Company, has condemned the alleged attack by soldiers of the Nigeria Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) on one of its staff, attached to the Injection Sub-staion in the North Bank area, Makurdi, James Ochepo.
In a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Saratu Aliyu Dauda and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday, the company has decided to put in place precautionary measures to safeguard its personnel, which include the temporarily withdrawal of its staff from the Injection sub-station.
The company further stated that it has taken a step further to report the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS), the Commissioner of Police, and the Benue State Government, while also seeking intervention from other relevant federal authorities.
Ochepo, who is a Distribution System Operator (DSO), at the sub-station was allegedly molested over a power outage on the 11kV Daudu Feeder, the company’s statement quoted.
The company claimed that the assault allegedly left the staff of the company in a critical state.
It added:”The Management of JED Plc has strongly condemned the assault and intimidation of its personnel at the North Bank Injection Substation in Makurdi by an officer and soldiers of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi, Benue State.
“Specifically, the management frowned at the assault which was led by Major Suleiman Mustapha and other soldiers.
“On the 12th and 14th February, 2026, at about 11:00 pm, Major Suleiman Mustapha, accompanied by armed soldiers, forced entry into the Injection Sub-staion at the North Bank area of Makurdi and physically molested the DSO on duty, Mr Ochepo James over a power outage on the 11kV Daudu Feeder.
“The officer reportedly threatened the staff member and confiscated his personal belongings and later came back that same night with a handful of soldiers and beat the Distribution System Operator to stupor after smashing his head and causing severe injury to his hands.
“He was later rushed to the hospital for medical attention by a good samaritan after being abandoned in a pool of his blood by the soldiers where he is currently recuperating.”
Describing the action of the officer and the other soldiers as “barbaric and illegal”, the electricity company insisted that no one has the right to illegally enter the Injection sub-staion.
It also also noted that despite the dwindling allocation to the state “and huge outstanding indebtedness by the authorities of NASME to JED, the electricity outfit has continued to provide reasonable daily power supply to the school, even though the feeder is not classified as premium.
It added: “As a precautionary measure to safeguard its personnel, the Company has temporarily withdrawn its staff from the Injection Sub-staion and escalated the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS), the Commissioner of Police, and the Benue State Government, while seeking intervention from relevant federal authorities.”
The Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Sediko Douka, decried the attacks on staff of the company.
He said:“No member of staff should be subjected to violence or threats in the course of lawful duty. Electricity facilities are critical national infrastructure, and any unlawful interference with it endangers public safety. We are engaging the appropriate authorities to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence.”
Besides, the Operating Officer in charge of Benue State, Engr. Felix Shalzim, who described the incident as troubling pointed out that, “Our engineers and operators work under demanding conditions to sustain electricity supply across the State. Violence and intimidation cannot resolve supply challenges.
“We urge all stakeholders to adopt lawful and constructive channels of engagement while we continue to work toward improved service delivery.”
Suing for calm over the incident, JED, reiterated its commitment to lawful operations, staff welfare, and uninterrupted service delivery across its areas of operations.