Jos Disco accuses Benue youths of assault, abduction of 10 staff

The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has condemned an attack on its staff and the invasion of its Benue State office in Makurdi by a group of youths over a disputed transformer connection.

The company’s Public Relations Officer, Saratu Dauda, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to our correspondent.

According to the statement, about 50 youths invaded the company’s office along Otukpo Road on Wednesday, assaulted staff members and abducted 10 personnel.

The group also allegedly removed four vehicles and various technical tools from the premises.

Dauda said the incident occurred at about 1:17 pm when the youths confronted the company’s state management team over operational and administrative issues, including the alleged connection of the Benue State Government House to a refurbished 2MVA 33/11kV transformer supplying the Government House and the State House of Assembly.

“The unfortunate incident occurred at approximately 1:17p.m, when a group of about 50 persons forcefully gained access to the office and confronted the JED Plc State’s management team over operational and administrative concerns.

“These included the illegal connection of the Government House to a refurbished 2MVA 33/11kV transformer supplying the State House of Assembly and the Government House.

“During the incident, the youth forced their way into the office, assaulted and molested our members of staff and further abducted 10 personnel, took out four vehicles and various technical working tools,” the statement said.

The company said the abducted staff members and properties were released at about 5:45 pm following the forceful reconnection of the transformer.

Dauda added that several other staff members sustained serious injuries during the incident.

She recalled that a similar incident occurred on September 3, 2026, when JED personnel carrying out a routine inspection were allegedly held hostage at the Government House after detecting a meter bypass on the premises.

According to her, the workers were forced to reconnect the bypassed meter before they were released.

“The staff members were forced to reconnect the bypassed meter before being released from the facility. This issue has been lingering and remains unresolved despite several communication efforts with the officials of the State Government,” Dauda said.

She stated that the latest incident had been reported to relevant security agencies and that the company would cooperate with them to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and prevent a recurrence.

While acknowledging the importance of maintaining cordial relationships with government institutions and host communities, Dauda said disputes should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding.

She also stressed that technical operations, including transformer energisation and the handling of metering irregularities, must comply with applicable regulations and safety standards.

“JED Plc remains committed to constructive engagement with the Benue State Government and other relevant stakeholders to address concerns amicably and in the overall interest of electricity consumers and the people of Benue State,” the statement added.

When contacted, the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, said he would issue a statement on the incident.

“Yes, I will soon issue a statement to that effect soon,” he said.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said he was on official duty outside the state capital but promised to respond after receiving a report from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area.