Blackout in Makurdi as JED workers protest alleged assault, government kicks

By Johnson Arua

Makurdi, the Benue State capital, was plunged into darkness on Thursday following the withdrawal of services by workers of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) over an alleged attack on some of their colleagues by suspected armed men.

The workers, operating under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), alleged that the attackers invaded the company's Makurdi District office, seized the Benue State Operating Officer, Mr. Samson Abah, and other employees, and took them to the River Benue Bridge, where they were reportedly assaulted.

The union further alleged that the attackers dispossessed the workers of their mobile phones and other personal belongings, demanded money for their release and forced them to reconnect electricity supply to the Benue State Government House.

The Acting National Secretary of NUEE, Dominic Igwebike, who disclosed the incident in a statement, said the development followed the disconnection of electricity supply to Government House over an alleged meter bypass by government officials.

However, the Benue State Government has vehemently rejected the allegations, describing them as baseless, defamatory and an attempt to tarnish its reputation.

The conflicting positions have heightened tensions between the electricity distribution company and the state government, with the industrial action by the workers leaving residents and businesses in Makurdi without electricity.

Explaining the union's decision to withdraw its members from duty, Igwebike said the safety of electricity workers could no longer be guaranteed under the prevailing circumstances.

He insisted that the union would not allow its members to continue working in an atmosphere of intimidation and threats to their lives.

"Our members cannot continue to work under their brutalised, intimidation and threats to life until we are assured of the safety of our lives and properties," he said.

A JED employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed that the workers had shut down electricity supply to Makurdi following the alleged attack.

"Our office was attacked and our union asked us to withdraw our services, so we have shut down power supply to Makurdi. We have left the office after shutting down, and Makurdi will not have power supply until the matter is resolved with our union," he said.

But the state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Chief Solomon Iorpev, dismissed the allegations, insisting that JED had failed to provide credible evidence linking the government to the reported incident.

In a statement reacting to JED's position on the controversy, the government said it would not accept allegations suggesting that it sanctioned violence, abduction or illegal electricity connections.

"The Government of Benue State strongly rejects the baseless and defamatory allegations contained in the press statement issued by Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED Plc) on October 22, 2026. The claims that the State Government sanctioned acts of violence, abduction, or illegal electricity connections are reckless, unfounded, and unacceptable," the statement read.

The government argued that JED's use of the word "allegedly" in its account of the incident showed that the company had no evidence establishing any connection between the reported attack and the state government.

"JED Plc's own use of the word 'allegedly' confirms that it has no evidence linking the Government to the incident of October 21, 2026. No names, identities, or credible references were provided. The Government categorically rejects this insinuation," it said.

On the disagreement over electricity supply to Government House, the government maintained that allegations of meter bypassing and issues relating to transformer energisation should be addressed through established regulatory and judicial processes.

It said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the courts, where necessary, were the appropriate institutions for resolving such disputes, rather than through public accusations.

The government also called for an impartial investigation into the reported attack, stressing that allegations of abduction, assault and injuries must be substantiated with credible evidence.

"Assertions of abduction, assault, and injuries remain unsubstantiated. The Government does not condone violence and demands that impartial, evidence-based, and transparent investigations be carried out by security operatives," the statement added.

Faulting JED for going public with its allegations before the conclusion of investigations, the government described the company's response as premature and questioned its motives.

"The reckless outburst by the JED without conclusive investigations is suspicious and amounts to sponsorship by enemies of state to tarnish the image of the government," it alleged.

The government also challenged JED to produce documentary evidence of its claimed previous communications with the state government over the electricity dispute.

It described the company's account of an earlier incident on September 3, 2026, as misleading, insisting that any correspondence relied upon by JED should be made public.

"The company has failed to produce records of its alleged 'several communications' with the Government. The State challenges JED Plc to publish such correspondence if it exists," the statement said.

The government further maintained that electricity distribution companies must comply with applicable regulatory requirements and safety standards in their dealings with customers, including public institutions.

It said JED should be held to the same standards it expected from electricity consumers, particularly in matters involving electricity supply infrastructure and metering.

"The Government insists that this standard binds JED Plc as firmly as it binds any customer, including public institutions," the statement added.

The state government subsequently demanded that JED withdraw what it described as the insinuation that it sanctioned violence, retract the allegations of meter bypassing and illegal electricity connections, and tender a formal apology to the government and the people of Benue State.

It also warned that it could resort to legal action if the company continued to publish what it described as false and defamatory claims.

"The Government remains committed to the rule of law, the protection of lives and property, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the electricity sector. However, it will not hesitate to pursue legal remedies should JED Plc persist in disseminating falsehoods," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the government reiterated that the people of Benue State deserved reliable electricity supply, accountability and respectful treatment from service providers.

As of the time of filing this report, electricity supply to Makurdi remained disrupted, with the workers maintaining that they would not resume operations until the issues surrounding the alleged attack were resolved with their union.