The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has issued a stern warning, threatening to escalate its ongoing industrial action in Edo State into a nationwide strike. This comes after the alleged brutalisation of the union’s Edo State Chairman, William Uwumarogie, and another member, Matthew Eromobor, by security operatives in Benin City.
Addressing journalists on Friday, David Ehigiamusoe, NUEE Vice-President for the Western region, condemned the forceful arrest and alleged assault on his colleagues. He revealed that Uwumarogie and Eromobor were reportedly apprehended on Thursday night, October 22, 2026, while participating in a vigil at the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) headquarters on Akpakpava Road, Benin City. The vigil was part of a protest over unresolved issues including poor remuneration, inadequate safety measures, and unfavourable working conditions.
Union Demands and Ultimatum
The NUEE has given security personnel a 24-hour ultimatum to return the seized phones and other personal belongings of the brutalised members. Furthermore, the union is demanding the immediate withdrawal of all security personnel from the BEDC headquarters. Failure to comply with these demands, the union warned, would inevitably trigger a nationwide industrial action, potentially plunging the entire country into darkness.
Ehigiamusoe described the incident as a “Gestapo-style abduction” and expressed grave concern over the deployment of a combined team of military and police personnel. He stated that the operatives forcefully attacked, brutalised, arrested, and whisked away the union officials, treating them “like armed robbers.”
Violation of Agreement and Current Status
The union leader highlighted that the occupation of the BEDC premises by armed security forces is a clear violation of a conciliatory resolution reached at a prior meeting mediated by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammadu Dingyadi, in Abuja. This resolution reportedly included a clause against the victimisation of workers.
While Uwumarogie and Eromobor were released in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, they are currently receiving medical attention in a hospital for injuries sustained during the alleged assault. Ehigiamusoe asserted that the Edo State Government and BEDC management would be held responsible for any further breakdown of industrial peace resulting from this provocation.
Background of the Strike
The initial industrial action, which commenced on Monday, had already caused significant disruptions, plunging Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states, all covered by BEDC, into darkness. However, following the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, the strike was suspended in Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti, leaving Edo as the sole state still affected. Despite this partial resolution, the union is now urging its members in Edo State to remain steadfast in their strike until all grievances are addressed, with the threat of national escalation looming large.