Electricity Workers Threaten Nationwide Strike After Alleged Police Assault In Imo

By NINI NDUONOFIT-AKOH

NIGERIA’S power supply faces fresh danger as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened a nationwide shutdown following an alleged police attack on Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) staff at the Egbu 132/33kV Substation in Imo State.

NUEE says armed police officers, reportedly acting on state orders, invaded the substation, vandalised equipment, assaulted workers, held them at gunpoint, and abducted some staff. In protest, the union has already halted operations in Imo and warned it will withdraw services nationwide unless urgent steps are taken to protect electricity workers.

The union is demanding the immediate release of abducted staff, compensation for damaged property, medical care for injured workers, and a formal guarantee of safety from TCN, the Ministry of Power, and the Inspector General of Police.

Imo State Police, however, denied the allegations, describing the situation as an “operational disagreement” between two distribution companies — EEDC and Orashi Electricity Distribution Company — with no evidence of abductions or forced outages. The Commissioner of Police has ordered a full investigation.

NUEE says workers will not return to duty until their safety is assured, warning that failure to act could trigger a nationwide blackout.