The Edo State Chairman of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade William Uwumarogie, and some other union members are reportedly receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital following an alleged assault by security operatives after their arrest in Benin City.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the head office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) along Akpakpava Road, Benin City, where union members were participating in an ongoing industrial action over unresolved labour issues with the company’s management.
The alleged assault has sparked condemnation from labour stakeholders and members of the public, with calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the reported treatment of the affected workers.
According to an urgent situation report circulated by the NUEE zonal leadership, a team of military personnel arrived at the BEDC premises in a Toyota Hiace bus, accompanied by individuals suspected to be operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The report alleged that the security personnel forcefully arrested Uwumarogie and some other union members who were present at the premises before taking them away.
Subsequent reports indicated that the union chairman and some of the affected members were receiving medical attention following an alleged physical assault during or after the operation.
However, details surrounding the alleged assault, the extent of the injuries sustained by the affected workers and the circumstances of their reported medical treatment remain unclear.
Union, Public Demand Answers
The development has raised concerns among labour stakeholders and members of the public over the safety of workers participating in industrial actions and the handling of labour-related disputes by security agencies.
The union is expected to seek clarification from the relevant authorities regarding the reported operation, the reasons for the arrests and the allegations of physical assault against its members.
The incident has also renewed calls for respect for workers’ rights and the use of established labour dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing disagreements between employees and employers.
Observers have stressed the need for dialogue between BEDC management and the union to resolve the outstanding labour issues and prevent further escalation of the dispute.
As of the time of filing this report, no official response from the DSS, the military or BEDC regarding the allegations was included in the available account of the incident.
The allegations have yet to be independently verified, and the relevant authorities are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported arrests and assault.
