Some members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday went on rampage at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), Ilorin, beating, wounding and maiming no fewer than 20 staff over what the Managing Director (MD) of the facility, Olushola George Olumoroti later described as: “corruption fighting back.”

The labour union, early hours of Monday blocked the entrance of the LNRBDA, on the alleged invitation of the former MD of the establishment, Mudi Olayinka Raji.

The protesters, rather than embark on peaceful outing, resulted to violence, beating, clubbing and eventually maimed three staff of LNRBDA.

It was observed that both entry and exit gates of the authority were completely shutdown to prevent movement in and out.

Save for the timely intervention of the Commissioner of Police (CP) Adekimi Ojo who mobilised his men and vehicles to the scene, eyewitnesses said the damages would have been more.

Confirming the unrest that disrupted government activities, yesterday, the MD accused his predecessor, Mudi Olayinka of orchestrating violence and disrupting official activities “to frustrate an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct.”

He informed journalists that Mudi, “a former Ilorin Area Manager of the Authority and current Kwara State chairman of the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAEE), instigated workers to barricade the agency’s premises and assault staff members in a bid to stop a committee investigating corruption allegations against him.”

The LNRBDA boss said the incident was connected to a disciplinary process initiated before he assumed office in April 2025.

According to him, “The former Managing Director had constituted a disciplinary committee to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Mr. Mudi Olayinka Raji over collection and non-remittance of government revenue.”

Olumoroti alleged that the accusations against the union leader included diversion of government funds, unauthorized collection of I Owe You (IOUs), and refusal to retire the funds collected.

He further claimed that Raji also approved same facility (IOUs) for his wife, who was not an employee of the Authority.

“All these allegations were backed with evidence,” he said.

He said that three separate disciplinary panels reportedly investigated the matter and found Raji and four others culpable, while recommending sanctions, including refund of unaccounted funds.

According to Olumoroti, although the Federal Ministry of Water Resources later reduced the punishment to a warning letter and an undertaking of good behaviour after his appeal for leniency, Raji allegedly rejected the decision and petitioned the Minister, claiming the evidence against him was forged.

“The minister directed that another committee be set up to verify the authenticity of his claim, and I immediately complied with that directive,” he said.

The LNRBDA chief alleged that the protest and disruption at the Authority’s office were attempts to prevent the newly inaugurated panel from carrying out its assignment.

“This action of barricading the gate, disturbing government activities and assaulting workers is simply an attempt to force government to abandon its own rules. It is corruption fighting back,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the LNRBDA boss said the management had documented the incident and would pursue necessary legal action against those involved in the violence.

He, however, promised legal action against the perpetrators of what he called “heinous crime against government activities.”

Also, the CP confirmed that he actually sent his men to the troubled scene to restore sanity, adding that no one was arrested.