Jos DISCO condemns assault on staff in Makurdi

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc has condemned strongly, the assault and intimidation of its personnel at the North Bank Injection Substation in Makurdi by an officer and soldiers of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi, Benue State.

The the management frowned at the assault which it alleged was led by Major Suleiman Mustapha and other soldiers.

A statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Saratu Aliyu Dauda disclosed that “On the 12th and 14th February, 2026, at about 11:00 p.m., Major Suleiman Mustapha, accompanied by armed soldiers, forced entry into the Injection Substaion at the North Bank area of Makurdi and physically molested the Distribution System Operator (DSO) on duty, Mr Ochepo James over a power outage on the 11kV Daudu Feeder.

“The officer reportedly threatened the staff member and confiscated his personal belongings and later came back that same night with a handful of soldiers and beat the Distribution System Operator to stupor after smashing his head and causing severe injury to his hands.”

Ochepo, the statement said, was later rushed to the hospital for medical attention by a good samaritan after being abandoned in a pool of his blood by the soldiers where he is currently recuperating.

Describing the action of the officer and soldiers as babaric and illegal, JED plc said nobody has the right to illegal enterance to the Injection Substaion.

The management explained that despite the prevailing dwindling allocation to the state and humongous outstanding indebtedness by the authorities of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering to JED Plc, the electricity outfit has continued to provide reasonable daily power supply to NASME, even though the feeder is not classified as premium.

As a precautionary measure to safeguard its personnel, the Company has temporarily withdrawn its staff from the Injection Substation and escalated the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS), the Commissioner of Police, and the Benue State Government, while seeking intervention from relevant federal authorities.

Pained by incessant illegal disruption of the company’s services by Major Suleiman and his men, the Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Sediko Douka decried the attacks saying “No member of staff should be subjected to violence or threats in the course of lawful duty.

He said electricity facilities are critical national infrastructure, and any unlawful interference with it endangers public safety, “We are engaging the appropriate authorities to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence.”

The State Operating Officer in charge of Benue State, Engr. Felix Shalzim, described the incident as deeply troubling saying, “Our engineers and operators work under demanding conditions to sustain electricity supply across the State. Violence and intimidation cannot resolve supply challenges.

“We urge all stakeholders to adopt lawful and constructive channels of engagement while we continue to work toward improved service delivery”, he counselled.

He reiterated that Jos Electricity Distribution Plc was committed to lawful operations, staff welfare, and uninterrupted service delivery across its areas of operations while calling for calm.