The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) has condemned an alleged attack on its staff at the company’s office in Makurdi, Benue State, claiming that 10 workers were abducted and later released after a transformer was forcibly reconnected.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday when about 50 youths invaded the company’s state office along Otukpo Road over operational and administrative concerns.
According to the company’s Public Relations Officer, Saratu Dauda, the attackers allegedly assaulted and molested staff members, took away four vehicles and technical equipment, and held 10 personnel hostage.
Dauda said the abducted workers and the company’s properties were released at about 5:45 pm after the transformer was forcibly reconnected.
She added that several other employees sustained serious injuries during the incident.
The company linked the dispute to concerns surrounding the alleged illegal connection of the Benue State Government House to a refurbished 2MVA 33/11kV transformer supplying the Government House and the State House of Assembly.
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JED also recalled a similar incident on September 3, 2026, when some of its staff were allegedly held hostage at the Government House after detecting a meter bypass. The company claimed the workers were forced to reconnect the meter before they were released.
Dauda said the matter had remained unresolved despite several attempts to communicate with officials of the Benue State Government.
She confirmed that the latest incident had been reported to relevant security agencies, adding that the company would cooperate with investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and prevent a recurrence.
The company urged stakeholders to resolve disagreements through dialogue, stressing that electricity-related technical interventions must comply with regulatory requirements and safety standards.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, said he would issue a statement on the incident. The state police spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, also said he would respond after receiving a report from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area.
As of the time of filing this report, no further official response from the state government or police had been provided.
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