Five suspects now in custody as police investigate alleged assault that preceded deputy director’s death
ASABA, Nigeria — The Delta State Police Command has arrested Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and four other suspects in connection with the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education.
The latest arrests bring the number of people currently in police custody over the incident to five, as investigators intensify efforts to establish what happened before Adeda’s death.
Adeda’s death followed an incident at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education in Asaba. Earlier in the investigation, police arrested Lucky Adoh and declared a manhunt for two other individuals, Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, following allegations that the three men physically assaulted the deceased.
The allegations remain subject to investigation, and police have not concluded that any of the suspects is criminally responsible for Adeda’s death.
In its initial statement, the Delta State Police Command said it received complaints concerning the incident and immediately commenced an investigation. Lucky Adoh was subsequently arrested, while efforts were launched to locate the other suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, directed the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into both the incident at the ministry and the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s subsequent death.
According to the police, investigators are examining available video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and the actions of everyone connected to the incident in an effort to establish what transpired.
The police have also assured the deceased’s family and members of the public that anyone found culpable will be dealt with according to the law, irrespective of position or status.
The development has generated significant concern among workers and members of the public in Delta State.
Workers under the Nigeria Labour Congress reportedly shut the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba during a protest over Adeda’s death, demanding that the circumstances surrounding the incident be thoroughly investigated.
The protest came amid growing calls for accountability and clarification of what happened at the Ministry of Secondary Education before the deputy director died.
Reports from the Civil Rights Council in Asaba also called for an independent and transparent investigation, stressing that the circumstances of the alleged assault and the subsequent death should be established through proper criminal investigation. The group said an administrative inquiry should not replace a criminal investigation where a person’s death is alleged to have resulted from an assault.
Ashibogwu has reportedly denied ordering anyone to assault Adeda or participating in any beating. That position is among the issues investigators will have to examine as they establish the sequence of events and determine the responsibility, if any, of each person connected to the incident.
Police have urged the public to remain calm and avoid drawing conclusions before the investigation is completed.
CP Erale has also expressed condolences to Adeda’s family, assuring them that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without interference, and that justice would be pursued without fear or favour.
As the investigation continues, attention is now focused on establishing what occurred inside the ministry, the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s injuries and death, and the individual responsibilities of everyone who may have been involved.
The police have indicated that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
