A senior staff member of Nigeria's Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director, has allegedly died after being beaten by the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, and two others. The incident occurred on the premises of the ministry in Asaba, Delta State. Adeda's sister confirmed his death but said the family had not been fully briefed on what led to the incident.
According to a ministry staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity, Adeda was beaten after a disagreement with the Director of Examinations, who reportedly contacted Commissioner Ashibogwu. The staff member said Ashibogwu asked Adeda if he knew him, and Adeda reportedly replied that he did not. Ashibogwu then allegedly ordered his police orderly and driver to beat Adeda, who fell into a coma and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where he later died.
A source close to the ministry said Adeda had recently been redeployed from the ministry's field office in Isoko South Local Government Area. The source also alleged that Adeda was detained after the beating instead of being immediately taken to a hospital. A video of the incident is reportedly in the possession of the Director of Examinations.
Commissioner Ashibogwu denied ordering anyone to beat Adeda and gave a different account of what happened. He said he was summoned to the ministry after receiving a distress call from the Director of Examinations, who reported that Adeda was attacking them and threatening to kill anyone who came his way. Ashibogwu claimed that Adeda became violent and began to attack him, leaving him with wounds.
The conflicting accounts of the incident could not be independently resolved. However, SaharaReporters gathered that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been informed about the incident. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, did not respond to calls and messages seeking confirmation of the incident and clarification on whether any investigation had commenced.
Adeda's remains were deposited at the mortuary of the Asaba Specialist Hospital. The incident has caused apprehension among staff members of the ministry and the Prof. Chike Edosie Secretariat in Asaba. The family of the deceased has not been fully briefed on the circumstances surrounding his death.
The incident raises concerns about the safety and security of staff members in the ministry. An investigation into the incident is expected to be conducted.
Key points
- The Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, and two others have been accused of beating a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education to death.
- The incident occurred on the premises of the ministry in Asaba, Delta State, and has caused apprehension among staff members.
- The conflicting accounts of the incident could not be independently resolved, and an investigation is expected to be conducted.
