The Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike following the alleged death of a Deputy Director in the State Ministry of Secondary Education after an alleged assault at the ministry.
The deceased, identified as Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, was reportedly beaten during an altercation at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba and later died after being taken to hospital.
According to SaharaReporters, Adeda was allegedly assaulted by the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, alongside the commissioner’s police orderly and driver.
A ministry staff member, who spoke anonymously, alleged that the commissioner ordered the beating after a confrontation with Adeda, who was subsequently said to have lost consciousness.
The source claimed that Adeda was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where he later died, while his remains were reportedly deposited at the Asaba Specialist Hospital mortuary.
Adeda’s sister reportedly confirmed his death but said the family was yet to receive a full account of what transpired. She also said an alleged video of the incident was in the possession of the Director of Examinations.
However, Ashibogwu denied the allegations, reportedly telling SaharaReporters that he neither ordered nor participated in any assault on Adeda.
The commissioner instead alleged that he was called to the ministry after being informed that Adeda was attacking people and threatening anyone who approached him.
NLC Delta chairman, Dr Goodluck Oforbruku, reportedly announced the indefinite strike while addressing protesting civil servants at the state secretariat in Asaba.
The allegations surrounding Adeda’s death have not been independently verified, while the conflicting accounts of the incident remain subject to investigation.
