The Delta State Police Command has arrested one of the aides to the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, over the death of a Deputy Director in the ministry, Unity Adeda, and launched a manhunt for others allegedly linked to the incident.
The development followed allegations by some workers that Adeda was assaulted at the ministry before he was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead after sustaining severe injuries.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Bright Edafe, the command said it was aware of allegations that the deceased was beaten by three aides to the commissioner identified as Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine and Lucky Adoh.
“The command, upon receipt of the complaints, immediately swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, Lucky Adoh, while serious manhunt for the other suspects is ongoing,” Edafe said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, has ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the subsequent death of Adeda.
According to Erale, the investigation would examine all available evidence, including video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and the actions of all persons connected with the incident.
He said the investigation was aimed at establishing the facts and ensuring that anyone found culpable was brought to justice in accordance with the law.
Erale assured the family of the deceased, concerned citizens and members of the public that the command would neither shield nor spare anyone found culpable, regardless of status or position.
He also assured that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without interference, while urging members of the public to remain calm and refrain from drawing conclusions until the facts surrounding the incident were established.
The commissioner expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and assured them that justice would be pursued diligently and without fear or favour.