Electricity Workers-Police Clash May Plunge The Nation Into Darkness

The nation may be plunged into darkness unless urgent steps are taken to resolve a developing electricity workers-police face-off.

Already, the electricity workers, using the aegies of their apex body, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have given an indication to that effect.

They have given notice of withdrawing their services, piqued over an incident that happened in the Imo Community of Egbu which hosts a substation.

Armed police officers are alleged to have attacked staff of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, (TCN) at the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation.

Acting on the orders of the state, they allegedly beat workers, held some hostage at gunpoint, while abducting others.

NUEE has descried what happened there as a brutal invasion, directing its members to halt electricity supply operations till further notice.

A statement by NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike on the issue read:

“NUEE expresses deep shock and outrage over the level of gangsterism and unprofessional conduct displayed today by police officers acting on behalf of Imo State government.

“These officers forcibly invaded and vandalised the control rooms at Egbu 132/33KV Transmission Substation in an attempt to compel operators to grant an illegal outage.

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“During the invasion, the officers allegedly disconnected power at gunpoint and held all staff on duty hostage, forcing them to open breakers under duress.

“They further unleashed violence on our members, beating, molesting and assaulting every staff member in sight. Personal belongings, including phones, laptops, and vehicles, were destroyed, while CCTV cameras were also vandalised.

“The police officers executed this brutal and barbaric assault on innocent workers and abducted them to an undisclosed location.

“NUEE strongly condemns this reprehensible act and demands the immediate release of our abducted members. We also call for a formal undertaking from TCN management, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Inspector General of Police to ensure the protection of our members and to prevent any further traumatising incidents of this nature by putting the police in check.

“Additionally, we demand the immediate replacement of all staff property damaged or taken away, and we insist that all assaulted workers be provided with full medical attention.

“Consequently, NUEE directs all members to stay away from the office until further notice, as we cannot continue to work under conditions of brutality, intimidation, and threats to life. Work can only resume when the safety of staff and property is fully guaranteed.

“Failure to address these issues promptly will leave the union with no alternative but to withdraw our services nationwide until adequate safety and protection are secured at all workplaces.”

The Eagle learnt that the news is stirring negative emotions in the nation’s power sector and beyond, especially against the backdrop of assertions that the police acted on behalf of the state.

Its men allegedly entered the substation’s control rooms by force, vandalising equipment and disrupting operations.

Workers on duty were allegedly held at gunpoint, assaulted, while some were abducted to an undisclosed location.