Civil servants under the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Delta State on Friday shut the entrances to the Prof. Chike Odozien Secretariat in Asaba, protesting the death of a director following an alleged confrontation at the complex.
The workers demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Unity Adeda, a Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education, who reportedly died in hospital on Friday, a day after an alleged incident of beating.
The protest also focused on the safety of civil servants, with the workers asking the state government to provide assurances that they could perform their duties without fear before returning to work.
Sources familiar with the incident alleged that Adeda was involved in a confrontation with a certain Commissioner during which the director was allegedly assaulted.
The sources further alleged that the commissioner had asked Unity whether he knew him, to which the director reportedly replied that he did not.
The allegation of assault has not been independently established, while the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and Unity’s subsequent death remain subject to investigation.
Addressing the protesters, the Delta State NLC Chairman, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, said the union was concerned about the safety of workers and would engage the state government on the matter.
Ofobruku said labour would pursue an amicable resolution but insisted that workers must be assured of their safety before resuming duties.
He said workers could return on Monday if the government addressed their concerns, but would stay away if no satisfactory assurances were given.
‘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,’ Ofobruku said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Joint Civil Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Benson Efeotor, said the council was working to establish the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
Efeotor said he had visited the Ministry of Education and made inquiries about the deceased, who he said worked at the Science Centre.
He appealed to the workers to remain calm and avoid violence or destruction of government property while discussions with the state government continued.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, assured the workers that the government would not conceal the outcome of any investigation.
Aniagwu said the immediate priority is to establish what happened and determine the actual cause of Adeda’s death through appropriate investigation and medical examination.
‘There are different conjectures as to what may have led to the death of our brother who passed away in the hospital. Perhaps, the autopsy would be able to establish what transpired and indeed medical examination will determine the cause of death,’ he said.
The commissioner assured the workers that the findings would be made public and that appropriate action would follow.
‘I can assure you that nothing is going to be swept under the carpet. It will be known what happened and then the necessary action will be taken,’ Aniagwu said.
He urged the workers to remain restrained and commended labour leaders for conducting the protest peacefully.
Aniagwu stressed that every life is important and deserves protection, irrespective of the individual’s position or relationship with others.
The Area Commander, Asaba, ACP Alex Udeze, who was at the scene, said the police were invited following the unrest and responded to maintain law and order.
The state government and labour unions are expected to continue discussions as workers await the outcome of investigations into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.