The Delta State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and four other persons in connection with the death of a Deputy Director in the ministry, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
The development has heightened tension surrounding the circumstances of Adeda’s death, with the police widening their investigation to officials and others linked to the incident.
The police said Ashibogwu and the other suspects are currently in custody as investigators work to establish exactly what happened before the official’s death.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, announced the arrests in a statement on Monday, saying the number of people being held over the matter had risen to five.
The command, however, did not disclose the identities of the other three suspects arrested alongside the commissioner.
It also declared a manhunt for two other persons it described as key suspects — Mrs Clemetine Ufuoma, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, the commissioner’s driver.
According to the police, the presence of the two persons is required to advance the investigation and they have been urged to report to investigators without delay.
The case followed reports of an incident involving Adeda and persons linked to the commissioner’s office before the deputy director was taken to hospital, where he later died.
There have been conflicting accounts of what happened. Earlier police information had referred to allegations that Adeda was physically assaulted by aides to the commissioner, while one suspect, Lucky Adoh, was identified in connection with those allegations.
The commissioner has denied ordering or taking part in any assault on Adeda. Reports also quoted him as saying he had responded to distress calls and that the deceased had allegedly become violent before their encounter.
The Delta State Government has meanwhile said the matter would not be swept under the carpet, with Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, saying evidence, including medical findings, would help establish what actually happened.
Police said their investigation would consider available evidence, including video footage, eyewitness accounts and medical records.
Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale has directed investigators to conduct a thorough and impartial probe into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
The police have now urged Ufuoma and Apia to make themselves available, while assuring Adeda’s family that due process would be followed.
“Anyone found culpable will be brought to justice,” the command said.
The arrests do not in themselves establish guilt; the police investigation is still ongoing.
