Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Electricity workers across Nigeria have issued a three-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening to shut down the national grid if authorities fail to address the alleged assault and unlawful detention of ten workers by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force in Bauchi State. The ultimatum, which runs from Monday, September 21, to Wednesday, September 25, 2026, was announced by the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies during a peaceful protest at the Bauchi State Police Command headquarters.
The incident that triggered the crisis occurred on September 18, 2026, when personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, Bauchi Operations Base, allegedly invaded the Jos Electricity Distribution Company operation office in Bauchi metropolis. According to the unions, the invasion followed the disconnection of electricity supply to the NAF residential quarters along Ningi Road over alleged prolonged non-payment of electricity bills. The workers said the NAF personnel accused them of disconnecting the facilities and, in response, assaulted and detained ten electricity workers before taking them to an undisclosed location.
Rilwanu Shehu, the National Deputy President of SSAEAC, who addressed journalists during the protest, described the incident as an attack on workers carrying out their lawful duties. He said the affected workers were subjected to physical abuse and intimidation and were currently receiving treatment at home. "We are scared, we are not safe and cannot continue with our activities," Shehu said. "We give the benefit of the doubt to the security operatives, the police and DSS to intervene and resolve the matter amicably. We will ground the activities of the electricity industry in the entire nation if nothing is done to the NAF men who assaulted our staff."
The unions stated that the disconnection of the NAF quarters was carried out after due notification had been served to the Air Force authorities. According to Shehu, the company had notified the NAF before the disconnection, and the action was taken in line with the company's standard practice of disconnecting customers with outstanding debts. The unions argued that the response of the NAF personnel was disproportionate and unlawful. The unions also alleged that the state operating officer of JED was threatened with further severe assault unless electricity supply to the quarters was restored.
The leadership of SSAEAC and NUEE, accompanied by officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers' Union, had earlier visited the Bauchi Commissioner of Police and the State Director of the Department of State Services to formally report the incident. The unions urged the security agencies to intervene and resolve the matter. Sikamta Mshelinga, the Bauchi branch chairman of NUEE, said workers would remain at home and withdraw their services pending further directives from the national leadership.
The NAF management in Bauchi has yet to comment on the allegations despite messages sent to them. The Air Force has not issued any public statement responding to the claims of assault and detention. The silence from the NAF has done little to calm tensions, and the unions have said they will not back down until those responsible are held accountable.
The threatened nationwide blackout would have severe consequences for millions of Nigerians, who already contend with erratic power supply and frequent outages. A complete shutdown of the national grid would cripple businesses, hospitals, and households across the country. The electricity sector is the backbone of Nigeria's economy, and any disruption to its operations would have immediate and far-reaching effects. The unions have framed their threat as a last resort, emphasising that they have pursued all available channels, including engagement with the police and the DSS, to seek justice for their members.
The incident is not the first time that electricity workers have clashed with security agencies. In February 2026, the Jos Electricity Distribution Company condemned an alleged attack by soldiers of the Nigeria Army School of Military Engineering on one of its staff members in Benue State. The company said the soldiers forcefully gained entrance into an injection substation and physically molested a distribution system operator on duty. That incident followed a similar pattern: a confrontation between electricity workers and security personnel over power supply issues. The recurrence of such clashes suggests a systemic problem in the relationship between the electricity distribution companies and the security agencies, particularly regarding the enforcement of disconnections for unpaid bills.
The Bauchi incident has also drawn attention to the financial challenges facing the electricity sector. The disconnection of the NAF quarters over unpaid bills highlights the broader issue of outstanding debts owed to distribution companies by government agencies and military formations. These debts contribute to the liquidity crisis in the power sector and make it difficult for distribution companies to meet their financial obligations. The unions have argued that workers should not be subjected to assault for performing their lawful duties, which include enforcing disconnections for non-payment.
The three-day ultimatum places significant pressure on the Federal Government and the NAF to act swiftly. If the authorities fail to address the unions' demands by Wednesday, September 25, the electricity workers have vowed to shut down the national grid. The NLC and other labour unions have expressed solidarity with the electricity workers, raising the possibility that the industrial action could broaden into a wider labour crisis. The coming days will determine whether the government can resolve the dispute or whether Nigeria will be plunged into darkness.
For now, the electricity workers remain at home, their services withdrawn, and their ultimatum ticking. The NAF has remained silent, and the government has yet to intervene publicly. The standoff is a test of the government's ability to manage labour disputes and protect workers from assault by security personnel. If the ultimatum expires without action, the consequences will be felt by every Nigerian who depends on the national grid.
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