Deputy Director’s Death: NLC Shuts Delta Secretariat, Begins Indefinite Strike

Deputy Director’s Death: NLC Shuts Delta Secretariat, Begins Indefinite Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike in Delta State following the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

The decision followed growing tension among workers over the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death at the Prof. Chike Odozien Secretariat in Asaba, with organised labour demanding a thorough investigation and assurances over the safety of workers in government offices.

The Delta State NLC, led by Goodluck Ofobruku, directed workers to withdraw their services indefinitely as it protested the death and demanded accountability over what it described as an unacceptable incident involving a public servant.

The development led to the shutdown of the state secretariat, with workers staying away from their offices as the labour union escalated its response.

The circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death remain the subject of investigations, with different accounts emerging over what happened before the Deputy Director died.

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Labour-linked accounts alleged that Adeda was assaulted during a confrontation at the secretariat. However, Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, denied ordering anyone to attack the deceased.

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Ashibogwu also gave a different account of the incident, alleging that Adeda physically confronted him.

The conflicting accounts have heightened calls for an impartial investigation to establish what happened and determine whether anyone bears responsibility for the Deputy Director’s death.

The Nigeria Police Force has commenced an investigation and arrested Lucky Adoh in connection with the incident.

Police also declared a manhunt for Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, who were identified as persons allegedly connected to the incident.

Investigators are expected to examine available video recordings, eyewitness accounts and medical records as part of efforts to establish the sequence of events and circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

The Delta State Government has also established an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the incident.

The panel is chaired by Charity Ehimen, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, and includes representatives of the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council.

The panel has been given two weeks to submit its report and findings.

The government’s decision to constitute the panel followed the escalation of the dispute and the labour union’s declaration of an indefinite strike.

The investigation is expected to determine what happened before Adeda’s death, the circumstances surrounding the confrontation reportedly involving him and other individuals, and whether any action or omission contributed to his death.

As of the latest reports, there has been no conclusive official finding establishing the cause of Adeda’s death or confirming allegations of a fatal assault.

The police investigation and the administrative inquiry are therefore expected to provide separate but complementary findings on the incident.

The Delta NLC strike will remain in force pending further developments, while workers and organised labour await the outcome of the investigations into the death of the Deputy Director.

Deputy Director’s Death: NLC Shuts Delta Secretariat, Begins Indefinite Strike