Three Injured as Union Protest Turns Violent at River Basin Office in Ilorin

 

At least three staff of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin have been hospitalised following a violent disruption of activities during a protest by members of the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAAE), who accused management of high-handedness and poor welfare conditions.

The protest, which was initially staged at the authority’s premises, reportedly escalated into physical confrontation, leading to injuries among staff and prompting emergency responses. Management later reported the incident to the Kwara State Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services.

The Managing Director of the agency, Engineer George Olumoroti, described the incident as more than a protest, insisting it was a coordinated attack on staff and ongoing reforms within the institution.

“We have three of our staff members currently in the hospital receiving treatment after being severely beaten,” Olumoroti said, adding that video evidence of the incident had been made available to journalists.

He explained that the crisis was linked to disciplinary actions taken against a union leader over alleged misconduct and financial irregularities.

According to him, “The management, upon assumption of office in April 2025, reviewed records and disciplinary reports as part of efforts to align the authority with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Olumoroti, referring to President Bola Tinubu, said previous investigations had raised allegations of diversion of government funds, unretired advances, and questionable transactions involving the official’s spouse, who is not a staff member of the agency.

He said disciplinary panels had earlier found the union leader and others culpable, recommending sanctions ranging from refunds and warnings to dismissal over alleged gross misconduct and corruption-related offences.

The recommendations, he noted, were later reviewed and upheld by higher committees, including one involving representatives of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Olumoroti added that although dismissal was initially recommended, he appealed for leniency. “I personally appealed to the Honourable Minister to temper justice with mercy,” he said, referring to the Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev.

He stated that the minister approved a softer penalty, directing the affected officer to refund unaccounted funds, receive a warning letter, and submit an undertaking of good conduct. While others complied and resumed duty, the union leader reportedly rejected the decision and petitioned the ministry, alleging forged evidence.

Following the fresh petition, Olumoroti said a special disciplinary committee was reconstituted last Wednesday to reinvestigate the matter, but alleged that the latest unrest was aimed at frustrating the process.

“This is a case of corruption fighting back. We are introducing reforms, accountability and discipline into the system, and some persons are resisting change,” he said.

He further alleged that some protesters invaded the premises with weapons, assaulted staff, and breached internal security, while members of another union within the agency resisted the disruption and insisted they were not part of the protest.

The managing director warned that the authority would not tolerate violence or intimidation, stressing that all staff must adhere strictly to public service rules and established laws.

As of the time of filing this report, the situation had been brought under control, while injured staff continue to receive treatment.