The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied the alleged brutality and torture of workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigerian (PHCN), Ibadan Zone, Oyo State by its officers prompting threats by labour union to shut down power supply to the South-west from April 2.
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A statement signed yesterday by NAF's Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, said investigation was ongoing on the matter.
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Anas disclosed that NAF did receive a letter of complaint written by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IEDC) and dated March 12, which was promptly responded to on March 19; intimating the complainant that it had initiated investigation into the matter.
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The NAF's spokeman, however, expressed displeasure over media reports on the matter, saying despite the official correspondence between the two organisations and with the case still undergoing investigation, the group could still threaten to shut down power in the South-west.
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He said: "While we uphold the right of the aggrieved to seek redress, we are however compelled to state that the issue had earlier been reported to the authorities of the NAF and investigation is ongoing on to get to the root of the matter.
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"This is attested to in the letter of complaint written by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IEDC) dated March 12 and the NAF's prompt response dated March 19 which intimated the complainant that it had initiated investigation.
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Indeed the NAF commander on the ground established a direct line of communication with the manager of the IEDC, the complainant.
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"The NAF therefore was surprised to see newspaper publications with threats by the union after discussion with the PHCN management in the area."
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The NAF spokeman noted that it was also curious that despite the gravity of the allegation, nobody from the entire PHCN staff could produce anybody who received bodily injuries from their (NAF)personnel in the area especially in this era of citizen journalism and social media."
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"It is necessary to state that NAF wishes to be spared attempts by some negative individuals or groups working with PHCN in Ibadan Zonal office who have an axe to grind using the media to disrupt the ongoing federal government's efforts at revitalising the power sector through independent power project in the area," he warned.
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Anas also confirmed that preliminary investigation by the NAF has shown that no brutality was meted out to any PHCN staff in the area.
I do not expect them to admit that. Who would accept that he brutalised a government worker? It is not possible. Let them just get to the bottom of the family