Delta Education Commissioner Arrested For Reportedly Beating Deputy Director to Death

The Delta State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, along with four others in connection with the death of a deputy director in the ministry, Unity Adeda.

The arrests came as part of an ongoing investigation into an incident that reportedly occurred at the commissioner’s office shortly before Adeda was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.

According to the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, two other individuals identified as key suspects are currently being sought by the command.

One of those already arrested is Lucky Adoh, following allegations that Adeda was assaulted by some of the commissioner’s aides. Police have also named Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine as suspects being traced in connection with the case.

With the latest arrests, five people have now been taken into police custody over the incident. Authorities are also looking for the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Clemetine Ufuoma, and the commissioner’s driver, Clement Apia, for questioning.

The incident has sparked anger among civil servants and labour groups, who are demanding a transparent investigation into what happened. The Nigeria Labour Congress was also reported to have shut down the state secretariat in Asaba as workers protested and called for answers.

Ashibogwu, however, has denied ordering or participating in any assault on Adeda. He reportedly said he only responded to distress calls and claimed that Adeda had become violent during the encounter.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the government would not shield anyone found responsible.

“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,” Aniagwu said.

The police have said investigators will examine CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and medical records as part of efforts to establish exactly what happened.

The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, has also ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.