Delta Workers Shut Secretariat as Police Arrest One Over Deputy Director’s Death

Tension gripped the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba on Friday after the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education, prompting organised labour to shut down the complex and demand a full probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Adeda, who had recently been transferred from the ministry’s field office in Isoko South Local Government Area and posted to the Science Education Department, reportedly died following an altercation at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat on Thursday. His remains were deposited at the Asaba Specialist Hospital mortuary after he was first taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba.

Conflicting accounts of what transpired have emerged. Anonymous ministry sources claimed Adeda was severely beaten after Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu asked whether he knew him and the official replied that he did not. The sources alleged that Ashibogwu then ordered his police orderly and driver to assault Adeda, who collapsed and was later detained before medical attention. One staff member said the confrontation followed an earlier disagreement between Adeda and the Director of Examinations, who contacted the commissioner. A family member confirmed the death but said relatives had not received a complete account, adding that a video of part of the incident was reportedly with the Director of Examinations.

Ashibogwu strongly rejected the allegations. He told journalists he responded to a distress call from the Director of Examinations reporting that a man was attacking people at the ministry and threatening anyone who approached. Upon arrival, he said, Adeda responded aggressively, threatened to attack others, became violent and assaulted him, leaving him with injuries. Ashibogwu denied ordering or taking part in any beating, stating he had previously cautioned Adeda only once over an extortion allegation and insisting he would not make false claims against a dead person.

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Other reports circulating among staff described Adeda allegedly driving to the Examinations and Standards Department, using his vehicle to ram cars and property and endangering lives before he was restrained. Video footage of the scene is said to be with investigators.

Workers under the Nigeria Labour Congress locked the entrances to the secretariat on Friday, halting official activities. NLC Delta Chairman Goodluck Ofobruku said civil servants needed assurance of safety at work and that anyone responsible for the death must face justice.

Joint Civil Service Negotiating Council Chairman Benson Efeotor said the council was establishing the facts and had visited the ministry. Protesters also called for the investigation of Ashibogwu and named aides including the commissioner’s driver and police orderly.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed it is investigating. Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe said one suspect, Lucky Adoh, had been arrested in connection with allegations that Adeda was assaulted by aides to the commissioner identified as Enos Attah (or Amos Atah in some reports), Oputa Okestine (or Celestine Opute) and Lucky Adoh. A manhunt continues for the others. Commissioner of Police Samuel E. Erale ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough inquiry examining video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and the actions of all involved, pledging that anyone found culpable would face justice regardless of status.

The state government, after consultations with organised labour, constituted an eight-member administrative panel chaired by Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service Mrs Charity Ehimen. Members include labour leaders from the NLC, Joint Negotiating Council and Trade Union Congress. Secretary to the State Government Dr Kingsley Emu announced the panel, which will examine the circumstances alongside the ongoing police investigation.

Commissioner for Information Charles Aniagwu said the priority was to establish the facts and the actual cause of death through proper investigation and medical examination, noting differing accounts.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been informed of the incident. The Isoko Development Union (Asaba Branch) called for calm while demanding that the matter be pursued to a logical conclusion.

The exact cause of Adeda’s death and whether the alleged confrontation was directly linked to it remain under investigation. Police and the administrative panel are expected to provide further updates as inquiries progress.