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Electricity supply has been disrupted in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states following the shutdown of facilities belonging to BEDC Electricity Plc by workers protesting over their emoluments and welfare packages.

The industrial action, organised by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), reportedly began in the early hours of Monday, October 19, 2026, leaving electricity consumers across the four states without power.

At BEDC’s headquarters in Benin City, Edo State, union officials reportedly prevented workers from accessing the premises and shut down key operational facilities as part of efforts to press home their demands.

A senior staff member of the electricity distribution company reportedly expressed surprise at the action, claiming that the management had recently reviewed workers’ emoluments.

However, the dispute persisted, prompting concerns over the impact of the industrial action on electricity supply and the operations of the company across its franchise areas.

The Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State, Bernard Egwakide, confirmed that the labour movement had previously intervened in the disagreement between the workers and the management.

According to him, NUEE leaders were meeting with BEDC management to resolve the dispute, while the outcome of the discussions would determine whether further intervention by the NLC would be necessary.

Meanwhile, tension erupted in Akure, the Ondo State capital, as commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, clashed with ticket sellers over alleged multiple levies.

The confrontation reportedly occurred at different locations across the metropolis after the riders resisted attempts by revenue collectors to enforce additional payments.

The motorcycle operators alleged that they were being asked to pay N7,000 for an emblem reportedly introduced by the Akure South Local Government Area, despite claims that they had already paid similar charges.

They accused the council chairman, Mr Gbenga Fasua, of authorising the collection. However, Fasua reportedly denied the allegation.

The development has heightened concerns over revenue collection practices and the relationship between commercial motorcycle operators and local government authorities in the state.

The two incidents have drawn attention to workers’ welfare, industrial relations and public service disruptions, with electricity consumers in the four states awaiting a resolution of the BEDC dispute and stakeholders watching developments surrounding the alleged multiple levies in Akure.