The Delta State Police Command has arrested the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, and four others over the death of a deputy director in the ministry, Unity Adeda.
The police said the arrest followed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death after an incident at the commissioner’s office.
Police spokesperson in Delta State, Bright Edafe, said the command had also launched a manhunt for two other persons described as key suspects in the investigation.
The development comes amid growing demands from workers in the state Ministry of Secondary Education and labour groups for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
According to reports, Adeda died after an incident at the commissioner’s office, with conflicting accounts emerging over what transpired before his death.
The police had earlier arrested Lucky Adoh, one of the persons mentioned in allegations that Adeda was physically assaulted by aides to the commissioner.
The command also named Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine in connection with the allegations and said efforts were ongoing to locate them.
In its latest update, the police confirmed that Ashibogwu and three other suspects had been taken into custody, bringing the number of persons arrested in connection with the case to five.
The command also identified Clemetine Ufuoma, director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, the commissioner’s driver, as persons being sought for questioning.
The police said their presence was necessary to assist with the ongoing investigation and urged them to report immediately.
The incident has triggered reactions from workers in the ministry, with reports indicating that employees demanded accountability and a full investigation into Adeda’s death.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was also reported to have shut the state secretariat in Asaba as workers pressed for answers over the matter.
However, Ashibogwu has denied ordering or participating in any assault on the deceased.
The commissioner reportedly said he responded to distress calls involving Adeda and alleged that the deceased had become violent before the encounter. He urged the public to allow investigators to establish the facts through available evidence.
Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the state government would not shield anyone found responsible.
Aniagwu said the government’s priority was to establish the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death, adding that medical examination and investigation would determine what happened.
‘There are different conjectures as to what may have led to the death of our brother who passed away in the hospital. Perhaps, as the autopsy would have been able to establish, what transpired, and indeed medical examination will determine the cause of death,’ he said.
He assured that the matter would not be swept under the carpet and that appropriate action would follow the outcome of investigations.
The police said the investigation would involve reviewing available video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and the actions of everyone connected to the incident.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, directed the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
The command said anyone found culpable would be brought to justice, while extending condolences to the family of the deceased.