Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, alongside three other suspects over the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education. The arrest, confirmed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, in a statement on Monday, September 28, 2026, brings the total number of persons in police custody in connection with the case to five. The command also launched a manhunt for Mrs Clemetine Ufuoma, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, driver to the Commissioner for Secondary Education, describing them as key suspects whose presence is required to further the investigation.
The incident that led to Adeda’s death occurred on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the ministry’s premises in Asaba. Adeda, a Level 16 civil servant who had recently been redeployed as Chief Inspector of Education for Isoko South, was reportedly involved in an altercation at the Examinations and Records Department of the ministry. Accounts of what transpired remain conflicting. According to some sources, Adeda was allegedly tied up and beaten by thugs acting on the instructions of the Commissioner. The Commissioner, however, has denied ordering or participating in any assault. He said he responded to distress calls concerning Adeda and alleged that the deceased had become violent before their encounter. He urged the public to allow investigators to establish what happened through available evidence.
Workers Protest and Government Response
The death sparked outrage among civil servants in the state. On Friday, September 25, 2026, workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress shut down the Prof Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba, demanding a thorough investigation and accountability. The NLC Delta State Council declared an indefinite strike following the incident, with Chairman Goodluck Oforbruku announcing the action while addressing protesting civil servants at the secretariat. Workers resumed duties on Monday, September 27, after organised labour suspended its protest.
The Delta State Government responded by constituting an eight-member administrative panel of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death. The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the state government would not sweep the matter under the carpet, adding that its immediate priority was to establish the facts and determine the cause of Adeda’s death. However, the family of the deceased rejected condolence visits from the state government and police command, indicating a lack of confidence in the official response.
Police Investigation and Arrests
The police initially arrested one suspect, Lucky Adoh, and named two others, Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, in connection with the allegations. The investigation subsequently expanded, leading to the arrest of the Commissioner and three other suspects. The command said the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, impartially and professionally. “The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, urges the two suspects, wherever they may be, to make themselves available to the Police without further delay,” Edafe stated. The command also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and assured the public that due process would be followed.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with calls for justice and a transparent investigation into the circumstances that preceded Adeda’s death. The arrest of the Commissioner marks a major escalation in a case that has exposed the tensions within Delta State’s civil service and raised questions about accountability in the conduct of public officials. As the investigation continues, the police have yet to disclose the identities of the three other suspects arrested alongside the Commissioner or provide further details on the evidence gathered so far. For the family of Unity Adeda, the wait for answers continues.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments