From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Tension has reportedly gripped parts of Asaba, Delta State, following the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education, after an alleged assault at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education.
The Delta State Police Command said it had arrested one suspect and launched a manhunt for two others allegedly linked to the incident.
The police spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Friday, September 25, 2026, identifying the suspects as Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine and Lucky Adoh.
According to Edafe, the command swung into action immediately after receiving a complaint over the incident and arrested Adoh, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the other two suspects.
“The command, upon receipt of the complaints, immediately swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, Lucky Adoh, while a serious manhunt for the other suspects is ongoing,” the statement said.
Reports surrounding the incident indicated that Adeda was involved in a disagreement with some staff members of the ministry before the matter was taken to the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu.
It was alleged that the disagreement escalated at the commissioner’s office, where Adeda was reportedly assaulted by individuals said to be attached to the commissioner.
Adeda was subsequently taken to hospital, where he reportedly received treatment and was discharged. His condition, however, was said to have deteriorated before his eventual death.
The police have yet to establish the cause of death and have not confirmed that the alleged assault was responsible for it.
Following the development, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel Erale, directed the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to commence a detailed investigation into both the alleged assault and Adeda’s subsequent death.
The police said investigators would examine all available evidence, including relevant video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and the actions of all persons connected with the incident.
According to the command, the investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and determine whether any individual has a case to answer.
The development has reportedly generated concern among civil servants in Asaba, with workers seeking clarification over the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the death of the senior education official.
Reports suggesting that activities at the state secretariat were disrupted following the incident could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Eralе assured Adeda’s family and members of the public that the police would not shield anyone found culpable, regardless of the person’s position or status.
He also pledged that the investigation would be conducted professionally and transparently, without interference, while urging members of the public to refrain from drawing conclusions before the facts of the case are fully established.
The police commissioner expressed condolences to Adeda’s family and reiterated the command’s commitment to pursuing justice without fear or favour.
The identities and roles of the other persons allegedly involved, as well as the precise circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death, are expected to become clearer as the police investigation progresses.
