The Police has arrested one suspect and launched a manhunt for two others over the death of a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, Delta State.
Adeda reportedly died following an incident at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, in Asaba.
The police identified the arrested suspect as Lucky Adoh, while Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine were said to be fleeing.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the command was aware of reports surrounding Adeda’s death.
“The Command has also taken note of allegations suggesting that he was physically assaulted by aides to the Commissioner identified as Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine, and Lucky Adoh,” the statement said.
It added, “The Command, upon receipt of the complaints, immediately swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, Lucky Adoh, while serious manhunt for other fleeing suspects is ongoing.”
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Samuel Erale, subsequently ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and Adeda’s subsequent death.
The investigation will examine all available evidence, including available video footages, eyewitness accounts, medical records, and the actions of all persons connected with the incident, to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
The command assured the deceased’s family and members of the public that it would not shield anyone found culpable.
“The CP assures the family of the deceased, concerned citizens and members of the public that the command will neither shield nor spare anyone found culpable, irrespective of status or position,” the statement said.
The police also said relevant updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
The command’s statement came after workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress shut the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba on Friday, demanding an investigation into Adeda’s death.
The workers locked the entrances to the secretariat and disrupted official activities during the protest.
The police commissioner expressed condolences to Adeda’s family and assured them that “justice will be pursued diligently and without fear or favour.”
