Residents of Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, are suffering a power outage after Abuja electricity workers joined the two-day warning strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday.

A statement issued by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed the fears of residents that the power supply was deliberately withheld in compliance with the NLC directive.

“Dear valued customers, we are aware of the general power outage being experienced across our franchise due to enforcement by NLC of the 2-day warning strike embarked upon by the labour union,” an AEDC statement said Tuesday afternoon.

“We recommend that you take necessary precautions to manage the outage effectively. Kindly unplug sensitive electronic devices and appliances from power sources pending the restoration of power,” advised the distribution company.

NLC president, Joe Ajaero, on Friday, declared the warning strike as citizens continue to languish over the elimination of the fuel subsidy. The Congress said the strike was necessary to express the suffering the masses endured over the ill-timed subsidy removal which the government thoughtlessly implemented without a corresponding measure to cushion its harsh consequences.

If the government failed to adequately accede to their demands, the labour union threatened to embark on an indefinite strike within 14 working days from when the warning strike communique was issued.

The NLC had on Monday boycotted a meeting organised by the federal government to persuade them to cancel the warning strike since previous meetings failed to yield the desired positive outcome.

Majority of the banks across the nation have also shut down their facilities in adherence with the NLC directive.