Electricity workers threaten nationwide strike over Edo 'brutalisation'
- NUEE says its Edo chairman and another member were arrested and beaten by security operatives in Benin City.
- The union gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the return of seized phones and withdrawal of soldiers from BEDC.
- Edo government appealed for calm as the strike left the state in darkness for a fourth day.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to extend its strike nationwide if security operatives are not withdrawn from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) headquarters and seized items returned within 24 hours.
The union said its Edo State chairman, William Uwumarogie, and another member, Matthew Eromobor, were arrested and brutalised on Thursday night while members kept vigil at the BEDC office on Akpakpava Road, Benin City.
Speaking for the union's West Zone on Friday in Benin City, Vice-President David Ehigiamusoe said the two men were taken away by a combined team of soldiers, mobile policemen and regular police officers between 7:20pm and 8pm.
He said their phones and personal belongings were seized and that they were released around 1am on Friday and are still receiving treatment in hospital.
Ehigiamusoe said the men were treated like armed robbers, adding that the action violated an agreement reached at a conciliation meeting in Abuja that no worker would be victimised.
The Army spokesperson in Edo State, Kennedy Anyanwu, told Daily Post the incident had nothing to do with the Army and that the union leader was not arrested by soldiers. The police spokesperson in the state, ASP Eno Ikoedem, had not responded to calls and messages as of the time of reporting.
Strike leaves Edo in darkness
The NUEE strike began on Monday over poor pay, inadequate safety equipment and unfavourable working conditions. It initially cut power in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states, which BEDC serves.
After a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja on Wednesday at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammadu Dingyadi, the union suspended the strike in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti, leaving Edo as the only state still affected.
Edo Commissioner for Power Paul Usenbo said the Abuja meeting addressed six issues: consequential adjustment, personal protective equipment, staff promotion, staff welfare, salary harmonisation and overtime payments.
He said overtime payments would be restored immediately, while BEDC management was given three weeks to resolve the remaining five issues with the unions.
Usenbo appealed to all parties to remain calm and prioritise a peaceful resolution that limits disruption to residents, businesses and healthcare facilities.
The union has asked its members in Edo to stay on strike until their grievances are addressed. It warned that the Edo State Government and BEDC management should be held responsible for any breakdown of industrial peace.
What happens next
The union said it would escalate the industrial action nationwide if its demands are not met after the 24-hour notice.
Edo residents and businesses should prepare for continued power outages while talks continue.
