Image of NUEE and TCN Logo

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has warned of a nationwide shutdown following the alleged attack on Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) workers at the Egbu 132/33 kV Transmission Substation in Imo State.

In a statement, Acting General Secretary Dominic Igwebike said, “NUEE expresses deep shock and outrage over the level of gangsterism and unprofessional conduct displayed yesterday by police officers acting on behalf of the Imo State government.” He added that the officers “forcibly invaded and vandalised the control rooms at Egbu 132/33 kV Transmission Substation in an attempt to compel operators to grant an illegal outage.”

According to the union, workers on duty were “held at gunpoint and assaulted, while some were abducted to an undisclosed location,” with personal property, including “phones, laptops, and vehicles… destroyed, while CCTV cameras were also vandalised.”

Igwebike warned, “Consequently, NUEE directs all members to stay away from the office until further notice, as we cannot continue to work under conditions of brutality, intimidation, and threats to life. Work can only resume when the safety of staff and property is fully guaranteed.”

The union also demanded “the immediate release of our abducted members… the immediate replacement of all staff property damaged or taken away, and full medical attention for all assaulted workers.” NUEE cautioned that failure to meet these demands “will leave the union with no alternative but to withdraw our services nationwide until adequate safety and protection is secured at all workplaces.”