Activities at the Delta State Government Secretariat in Asaba were disrupted on Friday after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) shut the complex over the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
The labour union blocked the entrances to the Prof Chike Odozien Secretariat, preventing workers and other officials from accessing the premises as it demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the civil servant’s death.
Adeda reportedly died in a hospital on Friday, barely a day after an alleged confrontation at the secretariat.
His death has sparked concerns among workers, with allegations emerging that the deputy director was assaulted during a disagreement involving the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu.
Sources familiar with the incident told Punch that an argument allegedly broke out between Ashibogwu and Adeda before the deputy director was reportedly assaulted.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged confrontation and the events that followed remain subject to investigation.
Labour union demands answers
The NLC said its action was driven by concerns over the safety of workers within government offices and the need for authorities to establish what led to Adeda’s death.
The union said it would not be satisfied with assurances alone, insisting that workers must be protected while carrying out their official responsibilities.
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Delta State NLC Chairman, Goodluck Ofobruku, said the union would engage the state government to address the situation.
Ofobruku also called for anyone found responsible for the alleged assault to be held accountable.
“We must assure workers that they are safe in their places of work. And whoever is responsible for this beating that led to his untimely death must be brought to book before we come back,” he said.
The closure effectively brought official activities at the secretariat to a standstill, as workers were prevented from entering the premises.
The development has placed renewed attention on workplace safety within the state civil service, particularly following allegations that a disagreement involving senior government officials preceded the deputy director’s death.
While the NLC has demanded answers, the allegations surrounding the confrontation have yet to be conclusively established.
The union is expected to continue discussions with the state government as it seeks assurances over the safety of civil servants and accountability over the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.