The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike in Delta State following the death of a civil servant, Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, after an altercation at the Ministry of Secondary Education in Asaba.

Adeda, a 54-year-old deputy director, reportedly died in hospital after the incident, which occurred at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu.

The NLC State Chairman, Mr Goodluck Ofobruku, announced the industrial action after workers shut the state secretariat in protest over the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

Ofobruku said the union would withdraw its services until those responsible for the alleged assault were identified and brought to justice.

“We’re declaring dispute with the Delta State Government. For that reason, we’re withdrawing our services with immediate effect,” he said.

He said workers could not continue to operate in an environment where their safety was uncertain.

Ashibogwu, however, denied assaulting Adeda or ordering anyone to attack him, saying the deceased had physically confronted him and some workers at the office.

The commissioner said there were video recordings of the incident and maintained that he did not touch Adeda or instruct anyone to assault him.

Adeda’s sister, Ovwigho, gave a different account, alleging that her brother was beaten, tied up and seriously injured before being taken to hospital.

The allegations have not been independently established, and the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death remain under investigation.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested one suspect, identified as Lucky Adoh, and launched a manhunt for others allegedly connected with the incident.

The police said the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department would conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, including examining video footage, eyewitness accounts and medical records.

The state government has also constituted an administrative panel chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Charity Ehimen, to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

The panel has been given two weeks to complete its assignment, while the government assured civil servants of workplace safety and said it remained committed to respecting the dignity and sanctity of life.