Members of the organised labour have strongly condemned the federal government’s deployment of military personnel against workers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), vowing to continue their industrial action.
On Monday, workers at TCN joined the ongoing nationwide strike, resulting in the withdrawal of their services and causing the national grid to collapse.
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This disruption led to widespread power outages across the country.
In response, TCN authorities quickly distanced themselves from the blackout, asserting that the grid shutdown occurred around 2:19 AM on Monday.
According to TCN, the incident began at about 1:15 AM when the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit reported that operators were forcibly removed from the control room.
TCN claimed that those who resisted were assaulted, leading to injuries and the Benin Area Control Center being rendered inoperative.
NLC President Joe Ajaero confirmed the grid shutdown and criticized the government’s use of military force against TCN workers.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ajaero declared that workers would remain resolute despite these intimidations.
Ajaero called on Nigerians to support the labour movement in their struggle against what he termed “oppressive and insensitive leaders.”
He emphasized the NLC and TUC’s unwavering commitment to securing fair wages and reversing the recent electricity tariff hike.
“We have been informed that TCN management has resorted to using the military to intimidate and harass workers performing their lawful and democratic duties at various TCN plants across Nigeria,” Ajaero stated. “We believe the military personnel involved are not pleased with being misused in this manner.”
He reaffirmed the labour unions’ dedication to fighting for the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers, urging all citizens to stand in solidarity with their cause.
“We will not back down, and we will not succumb to blackmail, intimidation, or harassment,” Ajaero asserted.
Furthermore, Ajaero warned TCN management that they would be held accountable for any harm inflicted on workers due to the deployment of military forces.
“Deploying military personnel to TCN locations is a clear abuse and insult to the military, especially in a democratic setting,” he said.
The labour movement’s defiance signals a continued standoff with the federal government, with workers determined to press on until their demands are met.
