Electricity supply to Makurdi has been disrupted following a dispute between Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) and the Benue State Government over power supply to Government House and an alleged attack on electricity workers.
The crisis escalated after JED accused a group of youths of invading its Makurdi office, assaulting staff members and abducting 10 personnel. The company also alleged that four operational vehicles and technical equipment were taken during the incident. According to JED, the affected workers and properties were released after electricity was forcibly reconnected to a transformer serving Government House and the State House of Assembly.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) subsequently raised concerns over the safety of its members and supported the withdrawal of services in Makurdi. The development has disrupted electricity supply in the Benue State capital, although reports available as of October 23 have not independently confirmed a complete blackout across the entire state. Vanguard’s report on the power disruption.
The dispute has also triggered a public exchange between the electricity distribution company and the state government, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of the incidents.
How the Benue Electricity Dispute Started
According to JED, the dispute dates back to September 3, 2026, when its personnel reportedly discovered a meter bypass at the Benue State Government House during a routine inspection.
The company alleged that its employees were held at the facility and compelled to reconnect the bypassed meter before they were allowed to leave. JED said the matter remained unresolved despite attempts to communicate with state government officials.
The disagreement later intensified over electricity infrastructure serving Government House and the State House of Assembly.
In its October 22 statement, JED said the latest confrontation involved the connection of Government House to a refurbished 2MVA, 33/11kV transformer. The company described the connection as illegal and said the matter raised operational and administrative concerns.
Although the supplied report cites a ₦50 million penalty over alleged meter bypass, the reports reviewed for this article do not independently establish the amount or confirm that the penalty was formally imposed. The figure therefore remains unverified.
JED Alleges Attack on Staff, Abduction of 10 Workers
JED said the latest incident occurred at approximately 1:17 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, when about 50 people allegedly forced their way into its office along Otukpo Road in Makurdi.
According to the company, the group confronted its management team over the electricity dispute before assaulting staff members and taking 10 personnel away.
The company further alleged that four vehicles and technical tools were removed from its premises. It said the affected personnel and properties were released at about 5:45 p.m. following the forced reconnection of the transformer.
JED also reported that several employees sustained serious injuries during the confrontation.
The company said it had reported the incident to relevant security agencies and would cooperate with investigations to establish what happened.
However, the allegations have not been independently established, and the identities of those responsible remain a matter for investigation.
Electricity Workers Withdraw Services in Makurdi
The National Union of Electricity Employees condemned the reported attack and warned that its members could not continue working under circumstances they considered dangerous.
The union’s Acting National Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, said the safety of electricity workers and their property must be guaranteed before normal operations could resume.
The withdrawal of services subsequently disrupted electricity supply in Makurdi, according to reports by Vanguard.
The development has raised concerns about the impact of the dispute on residents, businesses and public institutions that depend on electricity for daily operations.
However, the available reports do not establish that every local government area in Benue State has lost power. Claims of a total statewide blackout should therefore be treated with caution until further confirmation becomes available.
Benue Government Rejects Allegations
The Benue State Government has rejected JED’s allegations, describing them as unfounded and defamatory.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, the government denied that it authorised violence, abduction or illegal electricity connections.
The government also challenged JED to provide credible evidence linking state officials to the alleged attack. It argued that the company’s allegations should not be treated as established facts before investigations are concluded.
Regarding the dispute over electricity infrastructure and metering, the state government maintained that such issues should be handled through the appropriate regulatory channels and, where necessary, the courts.
The government demanded that JED withdraw its allegations, issue a formal apology and retract claims it described as damaging to the state’s reputation.
It also warned that it could pursue legal action if the company continued to publish what it considers false claims. Read Premium Times’ report on the government’s response”.
The opposing statements have left key questions about the incident unresolved, including who organised the alleged attack and whether any individuals have been arrested.
Electricity Crisis Raises Concerns for Residents and Businesses
The disruption highlights the wider consequences of unresolved disputes between electricity distribution companies and major public institutions.
When power supply is interrupted, small businesses may face higher operating costs as they turn to generators. Healthcare facilities, water services and other essential operations may also experience difficulties where reliable backup electricity is unavailable.
The dispute has also renewed attention on the safety of electricity workers who carry out inspections, enforce metering requirements and maintain distribution infrastructure.
At the same time, disagreements over electricity bills, transformer connections and alleged metering irregularities require transparent procedures and evidence-based resolution.
Both the distribution company and the state government have a responsibility to ensure that the dispute is handled lawfully, while protecting workers, public infrastructure and consumers.
What Happens Next?
The immediate priority is to establish the facts surrounding the alleged assault and restore stable electricity supply without exposing utility workers to further danger.
Security agencies are expected to investigate the competing allegations and determine whether any individuals or organisations were responsible for the reported violence.
The two parties will also need to address the underlying disagreement over Government House’s electricity connection through the appropriate regulatory and legal processes.
As of October 23, 2026, the Benue State Government had publicly rejected JED’s allegations, while the electricity workers’ withdrawal of services had disrupted supply in Makurdi.
The duration of the disruption and the timing of a full restoration remain uncertain. A lasting resolution will depend on credible investigations, guarantees for workers’ safety and a lawful settlement of the electricity dispute.
