Three staff members of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) in Ilorin were hospitalised on Monday after a union protest turned violent within the agency’s premises.
The protest, organised by the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAAE), was reportedly staged over allegations of high-handedness by management and poor staff welfare.
The disturbance disrupted operations at the authority, as protesting union members allegedly attacked some employees and inflicted injuries on them.
In response, the management of the authority, led by the Managing Director, George Olumoroti, invited security agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to restore calm and normalcy.
Speaking with journalists after the incident, Olumoroti disclosed that three workers were receiving treatment in hospital for severe injuries sustained during the clash.
He described the incident as “a violent attack and not a protest”, adding that management possessed video evidence of the disturbance, which was shown to journalists.
According to Olumoroti, the crisis stemmed from disciplinary measures initiated against a staff member and union leader, Modi Olaiyinka Raji, over allegations of gross misconduct and failure to remit government revenue.
The managing director explained that, upon assuming office in April 2025, the management reviewed existing records and disciplinary reports as part of efforts to align the authority with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He stated that the previous management had constituted disciplinary committees to investigate allegations against the union leader and other staff members over the alleged diversion of government revenue, unretired IOUs, and unauthorised financial transactions.
Olumoroti said the committees found Raji and four other officers culpable and recommended sanctions, including the refund of unaccounted funds, warning letters, and dismissal for alleged gross misconduct and corrupt practices.
According to him, the recommendations were subsequently reviewed and upheld by another committee, as well as the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, which included representatives of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
He added that the affected officers were denied promotion in line with public service rules pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.
Olumoroti, however, disclosed that he appealed to the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, to reduce the punishment recommended against Raji.
The managing director said the minister approved the appeal and directed Raji to refund the unaccounted funds, accept a warning letter, and sign an undertaking of good conduct.
He added that while the other affected officers complied and resumed work, the union leader allegedly rejected the decision and petitioned the minister, claiming that documents used against him had been forged.
According to Olumoroti, the allegation prompted the minister to order a fresh investigation through a special disciplinary committee inaugurated last Wednesday.
He alleged that the violent disruption was intended to prevent the committee from carrying out its assignment and to frustrate ongoing reforms within the authority.
“This is a case of corruption fighting back. We are introducing reforms, accountability, and discipline into the system, and some people are resisting change,” Olumoroti said.
He further alleged that some workers entered the premises with weapons, assaulted staff members, and breached security at the authority.
The managing director also stated that members of another union opposed the disruption, insisting that they had reported for duty and were not part of the protest.
Olumoroti maintained that the management would not tolerate violence or intimidation, stressing that all employees must operate within public service rules and existing laws.
He reiterated the authority’s commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of government property and revenue.
