Victor Ahiuma-Young
07 August 2012, Sweetcrude, LAGOS – NATIONAL Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, has said an attempt to bomb its National Secretariat on Murtala Mohammed Way in Lagos was foiled and the suspected bomber arrested.
NUEE, in a statement by its General Secretary, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said the suspect, who was working with yet-to be identified persons, had been handed over to the Police.
He said: “The struggle towards ensuring that the rights of workers in the power sector were not trampled upon has taken another dimension. On August 3, 2012, at 1230hrs, a middle-aged man came to our National Secretariat, claiming that he had a mail for us and on getting to our reception, he said he forgot the mail.
“Unknown to him that he was under surveillance, he made a call to an unknown person that he was already ‘there’ and later entered one of the offices with devices capable of causing explosion but before he could actualise his mission, he was overpowered by the vigilant staff on duty.”
“On interrogation, he claimed he was looking for a toilet. The Police at Adekunle Divisional Police Station, Yaba, Lagos were immediately contacted and the man was promptly arrested. Further interrogation by the Police has confirmed that he is not a staff of Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST as claimed and that his given residence was a fluke.
“NUEE wishes to appeal to all progressive Nigerians to be at alert as we are under severe threat. Before now, various attempts had been made on the lives of leaders of this union.
“May we clearly state that no amount of intimidation, threat to life or high-handedness from any quarters will derail our aspiration to a
better condition of service for our members.
“This latest onslaught on the Union should not be swept under the carpet. We call on all our members and International Community to be aware of what we are passing through of late. This development coming on the heels of army take over of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, is too close to be a coincidence.”
