By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) has vowed to justice for its staff brutalised by the Nigerian Mobile Police Force after the electricity provider disconnected power supply to the Mobile Police Barracks in Makurdi over an unpaid debt of over N112 million.
According to JED, the disconnection prompted a retaliatory assault on its staff, as armed officers reportedly stormed the company’s Makurdi office on Sunday afternoon and brutalised a security guard on duty.
In a statement issued by Dr. Friday Adakole Elijah, Head of Corporate Services, the company alleged that the officers, acting in what was described as “commando style,” attacked Mr. Hassan Ademu, leaving him seriously injured and with a head wound.
“The officers descended on our staff for carrying out his duty, simply because we disconnected power over non-payment of an outstanding N112,420,658.65 bill. He was beaten to a stupor,” Elijah stated.
He added that JED PLC has vowed not to reconnect the barracks until the debt is cleared and has announced plans to petition both the Inspector-General of Police and the Benue State Commissioner of Police over the violent incident.
The company emphasised that it would not take the matter lightly and would explore further actions to protect its employees from future assaults.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said, she wasn’t yet aware of the matter.
