Police arrest one suspect, search for two in Delta director's death

The Delta State Police Command has arrested one person and is looking for two others over the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda. He was a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education.

Adeda reportedly died after an incident at the office of Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, in Asaba.

The police named the arrested suspect as Lucky Adoh. They said Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine are currently on the run.

Bright Edafe, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, shared this news in a statement on Friday. He said the command is aware of the reports about Adeda's death.

"The Command has also taken note of allegations suggesting that he was physically assaulted by aides to the Commissioner identified as Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine, and Lucky Adoh," the statement said.

It continued, "Upon receiving the complaints, the Command acted quickly and arrested one of the suspects, Lucky Adoh, while a serious manhunt for the other two suspects is ongoing."

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Samuel Erale, has ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to look into the details of the incident and Adeda's death.

"The investigation will examine all available evidence, including video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records, and the actions of all persons involved in the incident. This is to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found guilty is punished according to the law," the statement said.

The command promised Adeda’s family and the public that it will not protect anyone found guilty.

"The CP assures the family of the deceased, concerned citizens, and the public that the command will neither shield nor spare anyone found culpable, regardless of their status or position," the statement said.

The police added that they will share updates as the investigation continues.

This statement came after workers from the Nigeria Labour Congress shut down the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba on Friday. They were demanding a thorough investigation into Adeda's death.

The workers locked the entrances to the secretariat and halted official activities amidst the protest.

The police commissioner expressed his condolences to Adeda's family. He assured them that "justice will be pursued diligently and without fear or favour."