Activities at the Delta State Civil Service Secretariat in Asaba were disrupted on Friday as workers protested the death of Mr. Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education.
The protest followed reports of an alleged confrontation involving Adeda and the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, at the Secretariat. Reports also alleged that the deceased was assaulted during the incident.
However, the allegation of assault and the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death have not been independently established, while investigations are ongoing. Reports indicate that Adeda died in hospital on Friday, a day after the alleged confrontation.
The development triggered tension within the Secretariat, with workers withdrawing their services and demanding that the circumstances surrounding the Deputy Director’s death be thoroughly investigated.
Addressing protesting workers, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, expressed concern over the incident and called for accountability for anyone found responsible.
Ofobruku said organised labour would engage the state government on the matter and insisted that workers must be assured of their safety before normal activities could fully resume.
The State Chairman of the Joint Civil Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Benson Efeotor, also appealed for calm while efforts continue to establish what happened.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said the state government would ensure that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death were properly investigated.
Aniagwu noted that medical examination and an autopsy would be important in determining the cause of death and assured that the matter would not be swept under the carpet.
Meanwhile, the police have commenced action following the incident. A report citing the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer said one aide to the commissioner, Lucky Adoh, had been arrested, while the police were searching for other suspects. The police have also acknowledged the allegations surrounding the incident.
The circumstances leading to Adeda’s death, including whether any alleged assault contributed to his death, remain subject to investigation.
