Tension has continued to rise in Delta State following the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, after an incident at the state secretariat in Asaba.
Adeda reportedly died on Friday, September 25, 2026, a day after an altercation at the ministry’s premises. The circumstances surrounding the incident have generated conflicting accounts and calls for an independent investigation.
The case has since taken a new turn, with the Delta State Police Command taking Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and three other suspects into custody.
The latest arrests brought to five the number of people in police custody in connection with the investigation. Police spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, announced the development on Monday.
The police also declared two persons wanted for questioning — Mrs Clementine Ufuoma, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, the commissioner’s driver.
Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale said the investigation would be thorough, impartial and professional. He also assured Adeda’s family and the public that anyone found culpable would face the law.
Earlier, police had arrested Lucky Adoh, one of the persons allegedly connected with the incident. The command said it was examining available video footage, eyewitness accounts and medical records as part of its investigation.
The family of the deceased has alleged that Adeda was assaulted during the confrontation and subsequently suffered injuries before his death.
The family has also been pushing for an autopsy to establish the precise cause of death. According to Vanguard, arrangements for the autopsy were underway as of Tuesday.
Ashibogwu, however, has denied ordering or participating in any assault on the deceased.
The commissioner said he went to the scene after receiving a distress call concerning Adeda’s alleged aggressive behaviour. He claimed Adeda became violent and attacked him, leaving him injured.
The conflicting accounts have made the police investigation particularly significant, with authorities expected to determine what happened during the confrontation and whether it contributed to Adeda’s death.
The Delta State Government has also constituted an eight-member administrative panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. The panel is chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Charity Ehimen, and includes representatives of organised labour.
However, members of Adeda’s family have reportedly rejected the state government’s panel, citing concerns about its composition and saying they would pursue the matter through legal channels.
The development had earlier triggered industrial tension at the state secretariat, with organised labour temporarily shutting down the complex and demanding answers over the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
Workers later resumed duties after the labour unions met with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the state government agreed to an administrative inquiry.
The Urhobo Progress Union Worldwide has also called for a transparent investigation, preservation of evidence, protection of witnesses and prosecution of anyone found culpable.
For now, no court has established criminal responsibility against any of the persons arrested. The police investigation, the administrative inquiry and the proposed autopsy are expected to provide further evidence on the circumstances that led to Adeda’s death.
