Nigeria’s electricity supply may be heading toward a major disruption as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened a nationwide shutdown following an alleged attack on staff of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) by armed police officers at the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Imo State.
In reaction to what it described as a “brutal invasion,” the union has already directed its members to suspend power supply operations in Imo State indefinitely.
According to NUEE, workers on duty were reportedly assaulted, held at gunpoint, and some abducted by police officers allegedly acting on the orders of the state government. The union insists that the incident represents a grave threat to the safety of electricity workers nationwide and warns that it may withdraw its services across the country if urgent action is not taken.
Reports indicate that the armed officers forcibly entered the substation’s control rooms, vandalised equipment, and disrupted operations. Workers were said to have been threatened, beaten, and taken away to an undisclosed location.
In a statement issued late Saturday, NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, expressed outrage over the incident, describing the conduct of the officers as “gangsterism and unprofessionalism.”
The statement read in part:
“These officers forcibly invaded and vandalised the control rooms at Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in an attempt to compel operators to grant an illegal outage. During the invasion, they allegedly disconnected power at gunpoint, held all staff hostage, and forced them to open breakers under duress. They further unleashed violence on our members, beating and assaulting every staff member in sight. Personal belongings, including phones, laptops, vehicles, and CCTV cameras, were also destroyed.”
The union demanded the immediate release of the allegedly abducted workers, full medical attention for the assaulted staff, and compensation for destroyed property. It further called on TCN management, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Inspector General of Police to guarantee the safety of all electricity personnel.
NUEE warned that any failure to address the matter promptly would leave it with “no alternative but to withdraw services nationwide.”
Police Deny Abduction Allegation, Describe Incident as Operational Dispute
In a swift response, the Imo State Police Command dismissed claims that its officers abducted or assaulted TCN personnel.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said the incident was not an attack but an “operational disagreement” involving the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and the Orashi Electricity Distribution Company. He added that the chairman of the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission was present during the dispute.
According to the police, preliminary findings show no evidence that TCN staff were held hostage or forced to disconnect power. The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has ordered a full investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to establish the facts.
The statement assured residents that the situation is under control:
“In synergy with the Imo State Government, the command remains fully committed to ensuring that electricity personnel carry out their duties safely, professionally, and without intimidation. Measures have been taken to prevent any future occurrence and safeguard critical infrastructure across the state.”
Further updates are expected as investigations progress.