The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has issued a three-day ultimatum to authorities over the alleged assault, arrest and humiliation of 10 electricity workers by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel in Bauchi State.
The union warned that it would ground electricity sector operations nationwide if action was not taken before the ultimatum expires on September 23.
Rilwanu Shehu, national deputy president of SSAEAC, issued the warning on Monday during a protest in Bauchi over the alleged invasion of the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) operation office and arrest of its workers by NAF personnel.
“We are scared, we are not safe and cannot continue with our activities,” Shehu said.
He appealed to the security agencies, including the police and Department of State Services (DSS), to intervene and resolve the dispute.
“We give benefit of doubt to the security operatives, the police and DSS to intervene and resolve the matter amicably. We will ground the activities of the electricity industry in the entire nation if nothing is done to the NAF men who assaulted our staff.”
Shehu said the ultimatum runs from September 21 to September 23.
Dispute over unpaid electricity bills
According to the union leader, NAF personnel invaded the JED office in Bauchi on September 18 after electricity workers disconnected power to the NAF quarters along the Ningi-Kano Road over unpaid electricity bills.
Shehu said JED had notified NAF authorities before the disconnection.
He alleged that the personnel arrested and assaulted 10 workers before taking them to an undisclosed location.
Some of the affected workers, he added, are receiving medical treatment following the alleged maltreatment.
Shehu said SSAEAC would pursue all legal channels to protect its members and seek justice.
“We will not tolerate any act of injustice, intimidation or harassment against our members,” he said.
Electricity workers threaten withdrawal of services
Sikamta Mshelinga, Bauchi branch chairman of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), said workers would remain at home and withdraw their services pending further directives from the national leadership.
The leadership of SSAEAC and NUEE, accompanied by officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), had earlier visited the Bauchi commissioner of police and the state director of the DSS to report the incident.
The unions urged the security agencies to intervene and resolve the matter.
