Electricity Workers Threaten Nationwide Shutdown After Alleged Police Assault at Imo Substation

Nigeria’s electricity supply may be plunged into a major crisis as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has issued a threat to shut down power nationwide following an alleged assault on Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) staff by armed police officers at the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Imo State.

In response to what the union described as a “brutal invasion,” NUEE has already ordered its members to suspend power operations across Imo State until further notice.

According to the union, electricity workers on duty were allegedly beaten, held at gunpoint, and some abducted by police officers reportedly acting on state orders. The clash has sparked intense outrage within the power sector, with NUEE warning that it will withdraw services across the country if authorities fail to guarantee the safety and protection of workers.

The police officers allegedly forced their way into the substation’s control rooms, vandalised equipment, and disrupted operations. Workers were said to have been assaulted, held hostage at gunpoint, and taken away to an undisclosed location.

In a statement issued late Saturday, NUEE Acting General Secretary Dominic Igwebike condemned the incident, saying:

“NUEE expresses deep shock and outrage over the level of gangsterism and unprofessional conduct displayed today (yesterday) by police officers acting on behalf of Imo State government.”

He said the officers “forcibly invaded and vandalised” the substation’s control rooms to compel operators to effect an “illegal outage.”

“They further unleashed violence on our members, beating, molesting and assaulting every staff member in sight… The police officers executed this brutal and barbaric assault on innocent workers and abducted them to an undisclosed location,”
Igwebike added.

The union demanded the immediate release of all abducted workers, a formal undertaking from TCN management, the Ministry of Power, and the Inspector General of Police guaranteeing staff safety, full replacement of damaged property, and medical care for assaulted workers.

NUEE has instructed all members to stay away from their duty posts until safety is assured, warning that failure to address the matter could lead to a total nationwide shutdown.

Police Deny Abductions, Say Incident Was Operational Dispute

Reacting to the allegations, the Imo State Police Command denied that its officers abducted or held any TCN staff hostage.

Police spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye described the situation as an “operational disagreement” between the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and the Orashi Electricity Distribution Company.

According to the police, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has ordered a full investigation into the matter.

“Preliminary findings show that there is no indication that… TCN personnel were abducted, held hostage, or forced to disconnect any facility,” the statement said.

The police added that the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman was present to mediate the dispute, and assured residents that security measures have been put in place to protect the facility and electricity workers.

“Measures have also been taken to prevent any future occurrence and to safeguard critical infrastructure across the state,” the command stated.

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