Delta Education Commissioner Arrested, Detained Over Deputy Director’s Death as Police Hunt Two Others

By Chike Ofili
The Delta State Police Command has taken the state’s Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, into custody in connection with the investigation into the death of a senior official of the ministry, Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.

Police also announced a manhunt for two other persons described as “key suspects” whose presence investigators said was required as they intensify efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

Adeda was a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education.

The police disclosed on Monday that Ashibogwu was taken into custody alongside three other suspects, bringing the total number of persons currently being held in connection with the investigation to five.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the Command identified the two persons being sought as Mrs Clemetine Ufuoma, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, driver to the Commissioner for Secondary Education.

Police described both as key suspects and said a manhunt had been launched for them.

The development significantly widens the investigation into the death, drawing senior officials of the state’s education establishment into the police probe.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, called on Ufuoma and Apia to report to the police immediately to assist investigators.

Erale urged the two, “wherever they may be,” to make themselves available “without further delay.”

The police chief said investigators would pursue the case thoroughly and impartially, assuring Adeda’s family and members of the public that no conclusions would be reached outside the evidence uncovered during the investigation.

He also pledged that due process would be followed and that anyone eventually found culpable would be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

The Command expressed condolences to the family of the deceased as the investigation continues.