DELTA NLC SHUTS SECRETARIAT OVER DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S DEATH

The Nigeria Labour Congress in Delta State shut the state secretariat in Asaba on Friday to protest the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.

Workers locked the entrances to the Prof Chike Odozien Secretariat, disrupting official activities as they demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

Adeda reportedly died in hospital following an incident at the secretariat. Allegations that he was assaulted during a confrontation have not been independently established, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are ongoing.

The Delta NLC Chairman, Goodluck Ofobruku, said workers were concerned about their safety and wanted assurances that civil servants could perform their duties without fear. He said workers would resume if the government addressed their concerns.

The Delta State Government said it would establish the facts and ensure that the matter was properly investigated. Commissioner for Works and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the government would not conceal the findings of the investigation.

The state police command has also commenced a homicide investigation and arrested one person in connection with the case, while efforts are ongoing to locate two others named in the complaint.

Meanwhile, the state government and organised labour have constituted an eight-member panel to investigate the incident. The panel has two weeks to establish the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death and make recommendations.