The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to shut down power operations nationwide following an alleged violent attack on staff of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Imo State.
In a statement signed by Dominic Igwebike, NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, the union said the incident occurred at the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Owerri, where workers on duty were allegedly assaulted, held hostage at gunpoint, and abducted by armed police officers purportedly acting on the orders of the Imo State government.
According to the union, the police officers forcibly entered the control room, vandalised equipment, and disrupted electricity operations in the area. “During the invasion, the officers allegedly disconnected power at gunpoint and held all staff on duty hostage, forcing them to open breakers under duress,” the statement said.
NUEE further claimed that the police destroyed staff property, including laptops, phones, and vehicles, and vandalised the substation’s CCTV cameras before taking some employees to an undisclosed location.
Read also: Vandalism is a major cause of national grid collapses, says TCN
Union orders suspension of power operations in Imo
In response to the attack, NUEE has directed its members to suspend all operations in Imo State until further notice. The union also warned that it would extend the shutdown nationwide if immediate action was not taken to guarantee the safety and protection of electricity workers.
“NUEE expresses deep shock and outrage over the level of gangsterism and unprofessional conduct displayed by police officers acting on behalf of the Imo State government,” Igwebike said.
The union demanded the immediate release of the abducted TCN workers, a formal commitment from the Federal Ministry of Power, TCN management, and the Inspector General of Police to safeguard electricity personnel, and the replacement of all damaged or stolen property.
NUEE threatens total blackout if demands are ignored
NUEE warned that failure by the authorities to address the issue promptly would leave the union with “no alternative but to withdraw services nationwide until adequate safety and protection are secured at all workplaces.”
“Work can only resume when the safety of staff and property is fully guaranteed,” the statement added, noting that electricity workers cannot continue to operate under threats, intimidation, or violence.
The incident has sparked growing concerns over workplace safety and the increasing tension between security agencies and utility workers in Nigeria’s power sector, which has already been plagued by labour disputes, vandalism, and operational inefficiencies.
