The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, has expressed shock over the attack on Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company workers by personnel from the Air Force Base, Ikeja.
Describing their behavior as unprofessional, NUEE condemned the actions of the military personnel, who took over the Corporate Headquarters of Ikeja Electric, IE, and its Oshodi Business Unit.
In a statement by its acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, NUEE said: “On resumption of duty this morning, some military personnel from NAF Ikeja Base invaded the Corporate Headquarters and Oshodi Business Unit offices of the company, beating up and molesting every staff member they encountered.
They destroyed personal effects such as phones, laptops, vehicles, doors, office equipment, and gadgets.
“The invasion took place simultaneously at the company’s Corporate Headquarters and Oshodi Business Unit offices. They took away the Oshodi Business Unit’s Commercial Manager and 13 drivers in their pickup work vehicles, torturing them and treating them like criminals. They unleashed terror on our members.
The military carried out this brutal and barbaric action against our innocent members because they were disconnected by the company due to non-payment of their huge outstanding debt.
“We unequivocally denounce this dastardly act from the military and demand the immediate release of our affected members, an undertaking from the IE Management, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Ministry of Defence to protect our members from any further traumatizing experience of this nature, by calling the military to order.
Moreover, we demand that all staff properties that were taken or destroyed be replaced and that those beaten be given adequate medical treatment.
“Consequently, our members are advised to stay away from the office until further notice because we cannot work under brutality, intimidation, and threat to life. Until the safety of lives and property is assured, we will have no choice but to withdraw our services nationwide until we are guaranteed safety and protection at the workplace.”
At press time, sources said that though the 15 workers had been released, they were in serious pain as their wounds had not been treated. Their phones, laptops, and other personal effects that were not destroyed had not been returned to them. However, the company vehicles were released.
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