Delta State Police arrest commissioner Kingsley Ashibogwu and three other suspects as investigators expand a probe into the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe. The development brings the number of people currently in police custody over the case to five.
Police have not released the identities of the three other people arrested alongside Mr Ashibogwu.
The latest arrests follow an earlier investigation into Adeda’s death. Police had previously arrested one suspect and launched a search for two others after receiving complaints about an incident involving the deceased.
Adeda reportedly died after an incident at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education in Asaba. Police said earlier complaints included allegations that he had been physically assaulted by aides linked to the commissioner.
However, the police have not established that any of the suspects caused Adeda’s death. The investigation is ongoing, and the arrests form part of efforts to establish what happened.
Meanwhile, police are also searching for Mrs Clementine Ufuoma, the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, a driver attached to the commissioner.
The command said it needed the two people to assist with the investigation. It urged them to report to investigators without delay.
Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale said investigators would conduct the inquiry thoroughly, impartially and professionally.
He also said due process would guide the investigation. The police added that anyone found culpable would face the law.
The case has attracted attention following the death of Adeda and earlier reports about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
For now, Delta State Police arrest commissioner Kingsley Ashibogwu and four other people remain part of an active police investigation. No court has determined their guilt.
The police have also expressed condolences to Adeda’s family and said the investigation would continue.
