Electricity workers under the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) have threatened to shut down electricity operations nationwide following the alleged assault and arrest of 10 of their members by Nigerian Air Force personnel in Bauchi State.
The union issued a three-day ultimatum to the authorities on Monday, demanding action over the incident and warning that electricity services across the country could be disrupted if the matter is not resolved.
The National Deputy President of SSAEAC, Rilwanu Shehu, disclosed this during a protest in Bauchi over the alleged invasion of the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) office and arrest of its workers.
According to Shehu, the incident occurred on September 18 after JED disconnected electricity supply to the Nigerian Air Force quarters along the Ningi-Kano Road over alleged unpaid electricity bills.
He said the relevant Air Force authorities had been informed before the disconnection was carried out.
Shehu alleged that NAF personnel later stormed the JED operational office and arrested 10 workers. He claimed the workers were assaulted before being taken to an undisclosed location.
Some of the affected workers are reportedly receiving medical treatment over injuries allegedly sustained during the incident.
Shehu said the workers were concerned about their safety and warned that the union could ground electricity operations across the country if action was not taken.
The ultimatum reportedly began on September 21 and is expected to expire on September 23.
He said the union would pursue all available legal channels to seek justice while demanding that electricity workers be allowed to perform their duties without intimidation or harassment.
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Meanwhile, the Bauchi branch chairman of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Sikamta Mshelinga, said electricity workers in the state had been directed to stay away from work and withdraw their services pending further instructions from the national leadership.
The dispute has raised concerns about possible wider industrial action in the electricity sector if the matter remains unresolved after the expiration of the ultimatum.
Earlier, leaders of SSAEAC and NUEE, alongside officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), met with the Bauchi Commissioner of Police and the state Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The labour leaders formally reported the alleged assault and arrest of the electricity workers and appealed to the security agencies to intervene.
The unions called for an amicable resolution of the dispute and urged the authorities to ensure the safety of electricity workers while carrying out their official duties.
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