By Chikaodi Chukwuleta

Workers of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company ( EEDC), under the aegis National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have taken to the streets protesting the detention of their members at the Armed Robbery Unit of the Nigeria Police, Awkuzu, Anambra State.

Our reporter gathered that the protest, which is already on across Anambra State, may be escalated to other South Eastern States by Monday, and nationwide  from Tuesday, if the detainees are not released with the management signing an agreement with the union to end the issue.

The protesters, who carried placards which read: “Unilateral stoppage of staff Medical, No promotion for Two years,  Late payment of salary,” among others, shut down the premises of the EEDC Zonal Headquarters, Awka, causing traffic along the Ziks Avenue.

They alleged that the EEDC Management collaborated with the police to harass, arrest and detain workers over allegations of extortion in the field.

According to the NUEE Deputy President South, Engr. Sir Joe Oforka, the protest is against the management of EEDC for unnecessarily harassing their members.

He said that the union  had made various entreats for the release of the members held under custody for over five days, and applied internal mechanism to deal with the situation, but the management refused to effect their release.

“The union leadership therefore directed for a peaceful protest demanding for their immediate release and stoppage of further treating workers like common criminals”.