Unions Threaten Power Shutdown Over Alleged Assault on Members
The prospect of another disruption to electricity supply is looming as two major electricity workers’ unions, the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies of Nigeria (SSAEAC) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have threatened to withdraw their services over an alleged assault, arrest and humiliation of their members in Bauchi State.
The unions are demanding action from relevant authorities over an alleged invasion of the Bauchi office of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) by Nigerian Air Force personnel and the reported arrest and detention of 10 electricity workers.
National Deputy President of SSAEAC, Comrade Rilwanu Shehu, issued the warning during a peaceful protest in Bauchi, where he said the association would not accept what it described as intimidation, harassment or injustice against its members.
Shehu said the workers were allegedly arrested after JED staff disconnected electricity supply to the Nigerian Air Force quarters along the Ningi-Kano Road in Bauchi metropolis over unpaid electricity bills.
According to him, the electricity workers had formally notified the NAF authorities before carrying out the disconnection as part of their official responsibilities.
He alleged that NAF officers subsequently invaded the JED office, arrested some of the workers and took them to an undisclosed location, where they were allegedly intimidated and humiliated.
Shehu said the incident had left some of the affected workers receiving medical attention, adding that the union’s immediate demand was justice and the protection of its members from further harassment.
“We will not tolerate any act of injustice, intimidation or harassment against our members,” he said, stressing that the union would pursue all legally recognised channels to defend the rights and safety of the affected workers.
The development has also affected the position of the National Union of Electricity Employees in Bauchi.
The Bauchi Branch Chairman of NUEE, Comrade Sikamta Ali Mshelinga, said members of the union would remain at home and withdraw their services until further directives were issued by the national leadership.
Such a move could affect electricity services in the state and potentially place additional pressure on residents and businesses that depend on regular power supply for their daily activities.
The labour unions had earlier taken their concerns to the security authorities in the state, accompanied by the chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bauchi State Council, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU).
The delegation briefed the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State, and the Director of the State Security Service on the alleged incident and their concerns.
The unions are now awaiting intervention from the relevant authorities to resolve the dispute and prevent the disagreement from escalating into a wider disruption of electricity services in Bauchi.
