Benue: JED, Govt trade blames over alleged bypass, attack on staff
The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc and the Benue State Government have traded blames over alleged illegal connection, meter bypass and attack on staff in Makurdi.
In a statement, the power firm condemned the invasion of its Benue State office and alleged attack on its staff by over 50 youth, causing some of the staff to sustain injuries.
It explained that the youth invaded the office at about 1:17pm on Wednesday, 21st October 2026.
It said the invasion by the youth “who identified themselves as Benue youths” followed the disconnection of the State Government House and the Benue State House of Assembly (BNHA) from what it described as “illegal connection to a refurbished 2MVA 33/11kV transformer supplying” the two facilities.
It also alleged that the youth forced their way into the JED office, abducted 10 personnel, and carted away 4 vehicles and various technical working tools, and that the affected personnel and properties were not released until they were forced to reconnect Government House and the State Assembly to the transformer.
In added: “The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc strongly condemns the attack on its staff and the unauthorized invasion of its Benue State Office in Makurdi on Wednesday, 21st October 2026, by a group of persons who identified themselves as Benue youths allegedly being sent by the State Government.
“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 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 4 vehicles and various technical working tools. The affected personnel and properties were released at about 5:45 p.m, following the forceful reconnection of the transformer. Unfortunately, the incident also created serious injuries to several other members of staff.”
JED also said that a similar incident was reported on 3rd September 2026, when a team of its staff on routine check was held hostage at the Government House following detection of a meter bypass on the premises.
“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 communications efforts with the officials of the State Government,” it said.
It said the current incident has been escalated to relevant security agencies and that it will continue to cooperate with them in establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident to prevent a recurrence.
“While the company recognizes the importance of addressing stakeholders’ concerns and maintaining cordial relationships with government institutions and host communities it firmly believes that such matters are best resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding.
“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 management stated.
Reacting, the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, described the allegations as baseless and defamatory.
In a statement, he insisted that the allegations of illegal connection, bypass and sponsorship of youths were unverified.
