- Electricity workers allege brutal police invasion of Egbu 132/33kV substation
- Union warns it may withdraw services nationwide unless safety is guaranteed
- Imo Police deny abduction claims, blame incident on operational dispute
A major nationwide power disruption looms as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened a full shutdown of Nigeria’s electricity supply following what it described as a violent armed police invasion of the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Imo State.
Union Alleges Hostage Situation, Assault, Abductions
The union said workers on duty were beaten, held at gunpoint, and some abducted by police officers alleged to be acting on the orders of the state government.
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NUEE immediately ordered its members to halt all power-supply operations in Imo State pending further notice and warned that services could be withdrawn nationwide if security agencies fail to guarantee the safety of electricity personnel.
In a statement signed by Dominic Igwebike, the Acting General Secretary, NUEE said:
“NUEE expresses deep shock and outrage over the level of gangsterism and unprofessional conduct displayed today by police officers acting on behalf of Imo State government.
These officers forcibly invaded and vandalised the control rooms at Egbu Transmission Substation in an attempt to compel operators to grant an illegal outage.”
According to him, the officers allegedly disconnected power at gunpoint, forced operators to open breakers under duress, and vandalised CCTV cameras, phones, laptops, vehicles, and other staff belongings.
He added:“They 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.”
NUEE demanded the immediate release of all allegedly abducted workers, full medical attention for assaulted personnel, and compensation for destroyed property.
The union also requested a formal undertaking from the TCN management, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Inspector-General of Police to ensure staff safety.
NUEE warned:
“Failure to address these issues promptly will leave the union with no alternative but to withdraw our services nationwide until adequate safety and protection are secured at all workplaces.”
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Police Deny Abduction, Call Incident an Operational Dispute
However, the Imo State Police Command rejected claims that its officers abducted or assaulted TCN staff, describing the event as an operational disagreement between two electricity distribution companies.
In a statement issued by the police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, the command said:
“Preliminary findings show that there is no indication that National Integrated Power Transmission Company or TCN personnel were abducted, held hostage, or forced to disconnect any facility.”
According to the police, the situation stemmed from a dispute involving the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and the Orashi Electricity Distribution Company, which the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission was present to resolve.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has ordered a full-scale investigation to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
