Police Take Over BEDC Headquarters, Arrest Union Leaders in Edo

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have taken over the head office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Benin City and arrested officials of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).

The union had embarked on strike on October 19, 2026, over non-implementation of minimum wage, salary harmonisation and increments, stagnation in promotions, among other grievances. The action led to blackout across BEDC’s franchise states.

A report by Daily Trust said that police stormed the BEDC headquarters on Akpakpava Road late Thursday where union members were stationed to enforce the strike, and whisked them away.

A reporter who visited the office on Thursday observed more than 10 policemen and five vehicles stationed at the premises, including a vehicle mounted with a submachine gun. The area was cordoned off, preventing residents from accessing the road leading to Forestry and Mission Road Market, with some motorists turned back.

One of the protesting workers, who spoke anonymously for fear of victimisation, said union members were at the gate monitoring the strike when security operatives assaulted and arrested the officials. He said their whereabouts were unknown.

He accused BEDC management of orchestrating the arrest and using police to harass and intimidate workers into abandoning the protest, alleging management had threatened to arrest the officials, claiming they were behind the action.

Efforts to get reaction from the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, were unsuccessful as of press time, while Head of Branding and Corporate Communication of BEDC, Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen, could not be reached for comment.