Delta NLC Declares Strike Over Deputy Director’s Death, Workers Get Fresh Resumption Order
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Delta State declared an indefinite strike following the death of a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
The industrial action was announced after workers protested at the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba over the circumstances surrounding the civil servant’s death and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
The development disrupted activities at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat as workers under the NLC shut the complex and called for greater protection for civil servants.
However, the strike has now been suspended following intervention by the Delta State Government.
Organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), directed workers to return to their offices on Monday, September 28, 2026, by 8:00 a.m.
The decision followed a meeting between labour leaders and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, as well as the establishment of an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
Why Delta NLC Declared Strike
The Delta State NLC announced the industrial action after the death of Adeda, a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
Workers had gathered at the state secretariat in Asaba to protest what labour leaders described as serious concerns surrounding the circumstances of his death.
The NLC said the safety of workers at their places of work was a major concern and called for those found responsible for any wrongdoing to be held accountable.
The union subsequently withdrew its services, resulting in the closure of the state secretariat and disruption of government activities.
Reports on the incident have contained different accounts of what happened before Adeda was taken to hospital.
Some reports alleged that the deceased was involved in a confrontation at the office of the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu.
The commissioner, however, denied ordering anyone to assault Adeda and gave a different account of the confrontation.
Because the circumstances surrounding the incident remain subject to investigation, allegations concerning the events leading to Adeda’s death have not been treated as established facts.
Police Begin Investigation
The Delta State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to reports, the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department was assigned to investigate the matter.
Police said investigators would examine available evidence, including video footage, eyewitness accounts and medical records, as they work to establish what happened.
The police also announced the arrest of a suspect while efforts continued to identify other people who may have been connected with the incident.
The investigation is expected to help establish the sequence of events before Adeda was taken to hospital and determine whether anyone should face criminal charges.
Delta Government Sets Up Panel
The Delta State Government has also constituted an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the deputy director.
The panel was established as pressure mounted on the government to provide answers and address concerns raised by organised labour.
The panel, chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Charity Ehimen, was given two weeks to complete its assignment.
The state government has said the matter will be investigated and that the findings will help establish what happened.
The government also assured civil servants that their safety remained important and that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death would be properly examined.
NLC Suspends Strike in Delta
Following discussions with the Delta State Government, the NLC and TUC have now suspended the industrial action.
Delta State NLC Chairman, Goodluck Ofobruku, announced that workers should return to their duty posts from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28.
The labour leadership said the decision followed the intervention of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the constitution of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry.
Ofobruku also said the criminal aspect of the matter was being investigated by security agencies and that arrests had already been made.
He urged workers to remain calm while the investigations continue.
The TUC leadership in Delta State also directed its members to resume work on Monday and appealed for calm among workers.
What the Strike Means for Delta Workers
The initial NLC strike affected activities at the state secretariat in Asaba, with workers withdrawing their services.
Government offices within the affected complex were disrupted as labour leaders demanded assurances concerning workers’ safety and an investigation into the death of their colleague.
With the suspension of the strike, normal government activities are expected to resume from Monday, provided workers comply with the latest directive from organised labour.
The resumption order also means that civil servants who stayed away from their offices during the industrial action are expected to return to their respective duty posts.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
Despite the suspension of the strike, the investigation into Adeda’s death has not ended.
The police investigation and the administrative panel are expected to provide further information about the events surrounding the incident.
The different accounts that have emerged make the ongoing investigation important in establishing the facts.
At this stage, claims about an alleged assault and the precise circumstances that led to Adeda’s death should be distinguished from facts that have been officially established.
The outcome of the investigations could determine whether additional legal or administrative action will be taken.
Labour Calls for Accountability
The NLC has maintained that workers must be able to perform their duties in a safe environment.
The union said it would continue to monitor developments surrounding the investigation and work with the panel established by the state government.
Labour leaders have also expressed support for the deceased’s family and called for the circumstances surrounding his death to be fully established.
The suspension of the strike therefore does not mark the end of the matter. Rather, workers have been directed back to their offices while the relevant authorities continue their investigations.
Conclusion
The Delta State NLC’s strike followed the death of Deputy Director Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda and concerns raised by workers over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The strike disrupted activities at the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba before organised labour reached an agreement to suspend the industrial action.
Following the intervention of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the establishment of an Administrative Panel of Inquiry, NLC and TUC leaders directed workers to resume duty at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Meanwhile, the police investigation and administrative inquiry into Adeda’s death remain ongoing.
Workers and members of the public are expected to await the findings of the investigations for further clarification on what happened and whether anyone will be held responsible.
