Electricity workers have been directed to stay off duty in Benue State until their safety is guaranteed, due to the invasion of the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc Makurdi office and torture of staff by thugs allegedly from the Government House.
The directive was conveyed in a press release signed by the Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Dominic Igwebike.
He said members should stay out of office if occupational safety assurances are not provided by JED management.
“We cannot continue to work under this brutalities, intimidations and threats to life until we are assured of the safety of our lives and properties,” Igwebike said.
The union condemned the invasion of the JED Makurdi District office on October 21, 2026, by armed thugs claiming to be from the Benue State Government House.
It also said the thugs abducted the Benue State Operating Officer, Mr. Samson Abah and other staff, took them to the River Benue bridge, assaulted and tortured them, seized their phones and demanded money for their release.
According to NUEE, the attack followed the disconnection of Government House over discovery of meter bypass, adding that the thugs accused staff of working for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The thugs also forced the staff to energize an illegally installed transformer and reconnect supply to the Government House, the union claimed in the statement.
NUEE said the incident comes barely a month after the brutalisation of JED Bauchi staff by the Nigerian Air Force on September 18.
The union demanded that the affected staff be taken to hospital, their stolen phones and properties replaced, and an apology letter from the Benue State Governor, while calling on relevant authorities to bring those responsible to book.
It also demanded an undertaking from JED management to protect its members.