Delta Workers Shut Secretariat Over Deputy Director’s Death, Demand Probe
CIVIL servants under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, on Friday shut down the State Secretariat in Asaba following the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education, Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
The workers locked the entrances to the Prof. Chike Odozien Secretariat along Mariam Babangida Way, disrupting official activities and demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
The protest followed reports that the deceased died in a hospital on Friday, a day after an alleged confrontation at the Ministry of Secondary Education. Reports on whether the confrontation was directly connected to his death remained inconclusive as of press time.
Sources familiar with the incident alleged that the confrontation involved the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and that Adeda was assaulted during the encounter.
The allegation has not been independently established, while the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the events leading to Adeda’s death remain subject to investigation.
The development triggered tension across the Secretariat, with workers expressing concern over their safety and demanding accountability from the state government and security agencies.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the Delta State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, condemned the circumstances surrounding the incident and called for a comprehensive investigation.
Ofobruku said anyone found responsible should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also announced plans to convene an emergency meeting of affiliate unions to deliberate on the development.
The labour leader said workers would await further directives from organised labour, while stressing the need for government to provide assurances on the safety of civil servants in their workplaces.
Following the protest, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, visited the Secretariat and appealed to the workers to return to their duties.
Emu reportedly assured the protesters that the state government was already handling the matter and would address the issues arising from the incident.
The appeal, however, did not immediately end the protest, as workers continued to demand answers over the circumstances surrounding their colleague’s death.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, assured workers that the state government would ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.
Aniagwu said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was committed to ensuring that the facts surrounding Adeda’s death were established and that justice was served.
He assured that no effort would be spared in getting to the root of the matter.
The government’s assurance came amid growing demands from workers and organised labour for transparency and accountability.
The Area Commander, Asaba, ACP Alex Udeze, who was present at the Secretariat, said the police were invited following the unrest and responded promptly to maintain law and order.
He said the police intervention was aimed at preventing a breakdown of law and order within the Secretariat.
As workers await further directives from organised labour, attention remains focused on the state government and security agencies to establish what transpired and determine whether anyone should face prosecution.
The circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death, including the allegations involving the commissioner and his aides, remain subject to investigation.
