The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to escalate its ongoing industrial action to a nationwide strike following the alleged abduction and brutalisation of Edo State Chairman, Comrade William Uwumarogie, and another member, Comrade Matthew Eromobor, by security operatives in Benin City.
The union said it had given the security personnel 24 hours to return the seized phones and other personal belongings of the two members and be withdrawn from the headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), warning that failure to comply would trigger a nationwide industrial action.
Uwumarogie and Eromobor were reportedly arrested on Thursday night while members of the union were keeping vigil at the BEDC headquarters on Akpakpava Road, Benin City, in continuation of their protest over poor remuneration, inadequate safety measures and unfavourable working conditions.
The industrial action, which began on Monday, initially plunged Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states, covered by BEDC, into darkness. However, following a meeting in Abuja reportedly mediated by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, the union was said to have exempted the three other states, leaving Edo State as the only state still affected by the strike.
Addressing journalists on Friday, NUEE Vice-President, West, Comrade David Ehigiamusoe, who spoke on behalf of the union’s zonal leadership, condemned the alleged attack on the two members and warned that the dispute could spread beyond Edo State.
Ehigiamusoe said the union was disturbed by what he described as the forceful arrest and brutalisation of its members by a combined team of military and police personnel.
“The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) is disturbed and worried about the Gestapo-style abduction, brutalization and arrest of the Edo State Chairman of NUEE, Comrade William Uwumarogie and Comrade Matthew Eromobor at about between 7:20pm and 8:00pm on Thursday, 22nd October, 2026. While our members were mounting guard at the BEDC Head Office, Akpakpava Road, Benin City, in continuation of the legitimate industrial action against BEDC Management over unresolved labour issues, a team of military personnel arrived in a Toyota Hiace Bus
and a Hilux, fully armed, and invaded tlie BEDC headquarters.“The team, comprising Mobile Policemen, regular Police and Nigerian Arny personnel, forcefully attacked, brutalized, arrested and whisked them away to an unknown destination. Their phones and personal belongings were confiscated by the military personnel and they were treated like armed robbers.”
He disclosed that the two union members were released in the early hours of Friday but remained in hospital receiving medical attention following the assault.
“They were released on Friday, 23rd October, 2026 around 1:0Oam after severe brutalization. They are still undergoing medical treatment at the hospital. Furthermore. we woke up to see that a combined team of military and police officers have taken over the premises of BEDC head office, Akpakpava, Benin, armed to the teeth as if they are going to war. This is a clear violation of the conciliatory resolution reached at the meeting held with the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment in Abuja, that no worker should be victimized. ”
The NUEE vice-president said the continued presence of armed security operatives at the BEDC headquarters was unacceptable, particularly in view of the reported agreement reached during the meeting with the labour minister that no worker should be victimised.
The union consequently demanded the immediate withdrawal of military personnel occupying the BEDC headquarters, adequate medical care for the affected members and the unconditional return of their confiscated phones and other personal belongings within 24 hours.
It also urged its members working with BEDC in Edo State to remain committed to the industrial action until their grievances were addressed.
The union warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period would leave it with no alternative but to extend the industrial action nationwide.
“If after this notice, their personal belongings are not returned and military personnel at BEDC are not withdrawn, we would have no option than to escalate the industrial action nationwide. The Edo State Government and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) should be held responsible for any breakdown of industrial peace arising from this provocation.This is not a threat!”
