The Delta State Police Command has arrested the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, in connection with the death of a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda. Adeda was allegedly beaten and tied during an incident at the ministry, leading to his death in hospital on September 25, 2026.
According to the police, Ashibogwu was taken into custody alongside three other suspects as police intensified their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda's death in Asaba, Delta State. The development came days after Adeda died in hospital following an incident at the state secretariat, where he was allegedly assaulted during a confrontation involving officials and aides linked to the commissioner.
Sources alleged that Adeda was beaten by thugs acting on the commissioner's orders and was subsequently tied up before being taken to hospital. The police initially arrested one of the people accused of being involved in the assault, identified as Lucky Adoh, and declared others wanted. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest of Adoh and said the command was also searching for Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine.
The police said they had taken note of allegations suggesting that Adeda was physically assaulted by aides to the Commissioner identified as Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine, and Lucky Adoh. The command also declared the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Clementine Ufuoma, and the commissioner's driver, Clement Apia, wanted for questioning.
Ashibogwu has denied ordering anyone to assault Adeda or personally taking part in any beating. In his account of the incident, the commissioner said he became involved after receiving distress calls concerning Adeda, whom he alleged had become violent and was threatening people around the ministry. Ashibogwu also alleged that Adeda attacked him during their encounter and urged the public to allow investigators to determine what actually happened through evidence, including available video footage and medical records.
The investigation has continued to expand, with the police confirming the arrest of Clementina Ojumah, Director of Exams and Standards in the Ministry of Secondary Education, after she reported herself to the command. That brought the number of people in police custody in connection with the case to six. Adeda's home community, Otovwodo in Ughelli North Local Government Area, subsequently protested his death and gave the state government a seven-day ultimatum to take action.
The Nigeria Labour Congress also protested over the death and shut the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba, demanding accountability and assurances about the safety of workers. The Delta State Government also constituted an administrative panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adeda's death, although members of his family and his home community have questioned the composition of the panel and demanded a more independent investigation.
Key points
- The Delta State Police Command has arrested five people, including Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, over the death of Deputy Director Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
- Adeda died in hospital on September 25, 2026, after allegedly being beaten and tied during an incident at the ministry.
- The investigation into Adeda's death is ongoing, with the police examining relevant evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
