Police commence investigation into alleged murder of Dep. Dir. of Education in Asaba
CP, Delta State Command
• One suspect arrested, two on the run
• NLC declares strike, shuts down State secretariat
• SSG meets with NLC
By John Egie
The Delta State Police Command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, Unity Akpobevughe Adeda in Asaba.
(L), Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu and the victim, Unity Akpobevughe Adeda
Late Adeda was allegedly assaulted by aides of the Commissioner of Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu.
The assault which was allegedly ordered by Dr. Ashibogwu following an altercation eventually led to the death of the victim.
Though the official announcement of the death was made on the 25 September, 2026, the exact date it occurred is not yet made known by the authorities.
But a First Information Report (FIR) issued by the Command’s PPRO, SP Bright Edafe on the matter said: “The Delta State Police Command is aware of reports surrounding the death of Mr Unity Akpobevughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, following an incident that occurred at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, in Asaba.
“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 Command, upon receipt of the complaints, immediately swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, Lucky Adoh, while serious manhunt for other fleeing suspects is ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, has consequently ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to carry out thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the subsequent death of the deceased.
“The investigation will examine all available evidence, including available video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records, and the actions of all persons connected with the incident, to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.
“The CP assures the family of the deceased, concerned citizens and members of the public that the command will neither shield nor spare anyone found culpable, irrespective of status or position.
“Relevant updates on the matter will be provided as it progresses.
“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale extends condolences to the family of the deceased and assures them that justice will be pursued diligently and without fear or favour“, the statement said.
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Meanwhile, public spirited individuals are calling for the arrest and detention of the Commissioner of Secondary Education and also for his immediate suspension from office to create room for thorough investigation.
The Izeze episode followed by this incident has earned the Oborevwori administration a bad name as critics accuse the Governor of not being diligent before appointing the embattled commissioners and possibly others as members of his cabinet.
The deceased, a source said was the Chief Inspector of Education in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area but was recently transferred to the ministry’s head office in Asaba when he was allegedly killed by his boss, the Commissioner.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State in reaction to the incident has directed workers in the State to down tools saying; workers safety is no longer guaranteed as commissioners can freely order their thugs to assault and kill workers any how and anytime without recourse to law.
President of the NLC in the State, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, said there will be an interface with the government and where Labour is able to secure a guarantee of workers’ safety from the government, workers could resume work but until then, he ordered the State secretariat shut down.
Yesterday evening, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu met with NLC and promised; and have set up an investigative panel of inquiry into the matter as the police carry out its investigation assuring them of the safety of their workplaces.
Kingsley Emu reassured that culprits will be brought to book as the governor will not tolerate any form of criminality in the State.
Meanwhile, the kinsmen of the deceased have condemned the murder and called on relevant authorities to expedite action in seeking redress and ensuring justice is done.
President General of Otovwodo community in Ughelli kingdom, Prince Elvis Oharisi identified the deceased, Ekuevugbe Adeda as a son of Otovwodo and while grieving the death, called for calm as investigation goes on.
Delta Govt Condoles Adeda’s Family, Assures Justice Will Prevail
Delta State Government has condoled with the family of late Mr Unity Adeda, a Level 16 civil servant in the Ministry of Secondary Education, who reportedly died following an altercation at his workplace, assuring the family that justice would not be perverted.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, gave the assurance when he led a delegation of senior government officials to the deceased’s family on Saturday to commiserate with them over the incident.
The delegation included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Johnson Erijo; Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr Lucky Nkemachor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, Mrs Kevwe Agas; Executive Secretary, State Pensions Bureau, Mr Lawson Efenudu, among others.
Emu said the state government was deeply concerned about the incident, stressing that every life mattered to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
He said the government was in mourning with the family, the civil service and the entire state, noting that the deceased was a senior public servant who had contributed to the state’s public service.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu consoling the deceased wife
“The entire state is in a mourning mood, not just the family. He was a very senior officer, but whether he was a senior or junior officer, every life means a lot to the state and the government,” he said.
According to him, the government was yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death because the police investigation was still ongoing.
He, however, said preliminary accounts indicated that an internal altercation at the workplace had escalated, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Emu said Governor Oborevwori had immediately directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated, adding that some persons connected with the incident had already made statements to the police.
He said the government had also constituted an administrative panel, made up entirely of serving and retired civil servants, to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and strengthen internal conflict-resolution mechanisms within the public service.
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“The essence of the administrative panel is not to conflict with the judicial process or the police investigation. It is to help us rebuild our system and enrich our conflict-management process,” he said.
The SSG explained that workplace conflicts were inevitable but must be managed through appropriate institutional mechanisms before they are escalated.
Emu disclosed that the government had met with labour leaders on Thursday following the incident and assured them that the workplace remained safe for civil servants.
He said; “we met with Labour yesterday and what Labour wanted was reassurance that there would be justice. Labour, as well as ourselves, agreed that the administrative panel must be set up and the police must do their job.
“All of these things have been done. The entire justice process has started, and we are convinced that having seen the sincerity and transparency of government, labour will do the needful,” he said.
Emu also appealed to civil servants to remain calm and continue with their duties, assuring them that the government was committed to protecting lives and ensuring a peaceful working environment.
“We are here to establish government concern, register the government’s sincere condolences and tell you (family) that we are with you. There will be no perversion of justice as far as this case is concerned,” he said.
He urged the family to take solace in the life the deceased lived and the impact she made during her years of service, while assuring them that the government would continue to stand by them.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mr Godwin Akamakusi, the deceased’s in-law, thanked Governor Oborevwori and the Delta State Government for the visit and concern.
He appealed to the government to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the death were fully investigated and that justice was served.
