The Delta State Police Command has widened its investigation into the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education, Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, with the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and three others taken into custody.
The latest arrests have increased to five the number of persons being held by the police in connection with the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
The command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, saying the arrests were part of efforts to establish what led to the deputy director’s death.
The police also declared two other persons wanted in connection with the investigation — the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Clementine Ufuoma, and the commissioner’s driver, Clement Apia.
Edafe said the presence of the two persons was required to assist the investigation and urged them to report to the police without further delay.
The command, however, did not disclose the identities of the three other persons arrested alongside Ashibogwu.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, assured the deceased’s family and members of the public that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, impartially and professionally.
He said due process would be followed and anyone found culpable would be brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The latest development followed the earlier arrest of one of the commissioner’s aides, Lucky Adoh, after complaints were made to the police over an alleged assault on Adeda at the commissioner’s office in Asaba.
Two other aides, Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, had also been named in the complaint, prompting the police to launch a manhunt for them.
The police had said its investigation would consider available video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and the actions of persons connected with the incident.
The command had earlier directed the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
Ashibogwu has previously denied ordering or taking part in any assault on Adeda, maintaining that his account of the incident should be tested against the available evidence.
The police command expressed condolences to Adeda’s family and said the investigation was ongoing.
