ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has arrested one person and launched a manhunt for two others following the death of a Deputy Director in the State Ministry of Secondary Education, Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 25, saying Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, had ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
The development followed reports concerning an incident at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, in Asaba, after which Adeda subsequently died.
Police said complaints received over the matter included allegations that the deceased was physically assaulted by three persons identified as Oputa Okestine, Lucky Adoh and one other.
According to the Command, Adoh has been arrested, while operatives are making efforts to locate the other two persons named in connection with the allegations.
The police said the homicide investigation would examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and the events leading to Adeda’s death.
Investigators have also been directed to review available video footage, obtain eyewitness accounts and examine relevant medical records, alongside other evidence that may assist in establishing what occurred.
The Command said the actions of all persons connected with the incident would be examined as part of the investigation.
The development comes amid conflicting accounts surrounding the circumstances that preceded the death of the education official. Reports from the Delta State Secretariat on Friday indicated that workers had also raised concerns over the incident and demanded that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death be properly investigated.
The police statement did not make any finding of culpability against the persons named, saying the investigation would determine the facts and whether anyone had committed an offence.
CP Erale assured the family of the deceased and members of the public that the Command would not shield anyone found culpable, regardless of status or position.
He also expressed condolences to Adeda’s family and said the police would pursue the matter in accordance with the law.
The Command said relevant information would be made public as the investigation progresses.
The allegations against the named individuals remain subject to investigation and due process, while the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death have yet to be conclusively established.
