The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, has declared an indefinite strike following the death of senior civil servant Unity Adedah, amid allegations that he was assaulted by suspected thugs.
Key Highlights
- Delta NLC has declared an indefinite strike over the death of civil servant Unity Adedah.
- Adedah was a Level 16 Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education.
- Workers allege that he was assaulted before his reported death.
- The alleged involvement of Commissioner for Secondary Education Kingsley Ashibogwu has not been independently established.
- SSG Kingsley Emu visited protesting workers and appealed for calm.
- The state government said it would investigate the circumstances surrounding Adedah’s death.
Delta NLC Declares Indefinite Strike
The strike was announced on Friday, September 25, 2026, by Delta State NLC Chairman Dr. Goodluck Oforbruku during a protest at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba.
The declaration followed growing anger among civil servants over Adedah’s reported death and allegations about the circumstances that preceded it.
Adedah, a Level 16 Deputy Director in the State Ministry of Secondary Education, was reportedly involved in an incident on Wednesday, September 23, during which he was allegedly tied up and beaten by people described by colleagues as aides loyal to the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu.
He was subsequently reported to have died from complications allegedly linked to the incident. The allegations, including the identities of those involved and whether they acted on the commissioner’s instructions, have not been independently established.
Workers Demand Justice for Colleague
The reported incident triggered anger and grief among workers at the state secretariat, with protesting civil servants demanding a thorough investigation and accountability for anyone found responsible.
Some workers who spoke about the development expressed shock over Adedah’s death and alleged that civil servants had sometimes been subjected to high-handed treatment by political actors.
They called for an investigation to establish the facts and determine whether anyone should be held responsible, saying their demand was primarily for justice and accountability.
Delta Government Appeals for Calm
Amid the tension, Secretary to the Delta State Government Dr. Kingsley Emu visited the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat on the directive of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to engage the protesting workers.
Emu appealed to the workers to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands. He said the state government would investigate the circumstances surrounding Adedah’s death and ensure anyone found culpable faces appropriate consequences.
The SSG said the government would not tolerate injustice against members of the state workforce, stressing that the safety, welfare and dignity of civil servants remained important to the administration.
He also appealed to workers to maintain peace within the secretariat and return to their official duties while the government addresses the matter.
Commissioner’s Alleged Link to Incident Unverified
The controversy has placed Commissioner for Secondary Education Kingsley Ashibogwu at the centre of allegations made by some workers. They reportedly linked the alleged assault to people said to be loyal to the commissioner.
However, no independently verified evidence has established that Ashibogwu ordered the alleged attack. The commissioner’s response was not included in the information available for this report. The circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, Adedah’s subsequent death and the identities of those involved remain matters for investigation.
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Strike Could Affect Delta Public Services
The NLC’s declaration of an indefinite strike could affect government offices and public services across Delta State if fully implemented.
The labour action places pressure on the state government to address workers’ concerns while ensuring that the circumstances surrounding Adedah’s death are properly investigated. A credible investigation is expected to establish what happened, identify those responsible for any alleged assault and determine whether any public official or other person bears responsibility.
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