Tension has reportedly spread across the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education following the death of a senior official after an alleged assault at the ministry’s premises in Asaba.
The deceased was identified as Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Secondary Education.
According to reports, Adeda allegedly died after he was beaten on Thursday by the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, alongside the commissioner’s police orderly and driver.
A relative of the deceased confirmed his death but said the family was yet to receive full details about what happened.
A ministry worker also claimed that the incident began after the commissioner was called to intervene in a disagreement involving Adeda and the Director of Examinations.
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The staff member alleged that the commissioner asked Adeda if he knew him. When Adeda reportedly said he did not, the commissioner allegedly instructed his police orderly and driver to assault him.
The worker claimed that Adeda was severely beaten, became unconscious and was later taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, where he reportedly died.
His remains were subsequently said to have been deposited at a mortuary at the Asaba Specialist Hospital.
The source further alleged that Adeda was detained after the alleged assault instead of receiving immediate medical attention.
Adeda had reportedly been recently transferred from the ministry’s field office in Isoko South Local Government Area.
However, Commissioner Ashibogwu denied ordering the assault or taking part in any attack against the deceased.
The commissioner said he was called to the ministry after receiving a distress call from the Director of Examinations, who allegedly reported that Adeda was attacking people and threatening those around him.
Ashibogwu said he went to the scene and tried to find out what was happening. According to him, Adeda became violent and attacked him, leaving him with injuries.
The commissioner maintained that he never instructed anyone to beat Adeda.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has reportedly been informed about the incident.
Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Delta State Police Command, including whether an investigation had commenced, were unsuccessful as of the time of the report.
The different accounts surrounding the incident have not been independently established.
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