The Delta State Police Command has escalated its investigation into the death of Mr Unity Ekwevugbe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the State Ministry of Secondary Education, by taking the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and three other suspects into custody.
In a press statement issued on Monday, September 28, 2026, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the development brings to five the number of persons currently held in connection with the case, even as a manhunt intensifies for two additional suspects whose whereabouts remain unknown. Police confirmed that alongside Dr Ashibogwu, three other unnamed suspects have been detained as investigations continue into the circumstances that led to Adeda’s death following an incident at the commissioner’s office in Asaba.
The command disclosed that is now searching for Mrs Clemetine Ufuoma, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, driver to the Commissioner for Secondary Education, whose presence is required to aid further inquiries.
Commissioner of Police CP Samuel E. Erale urged the two fugitives to surrender voluntarily, warning that the probe would be conducted “thoroughly, impartially and professionally” and that anyone found culpable would face justice.
It could be recalled that Adeda died on Thursday, September 24, 2026, after an altercation reportedly occurred at the Prof. Chike Edozien State Secretariat in Asaba, where the Ministry of Secondary Education is located.
Earlier police statements said complaints alleged that Adeda was physically assaulted by aides to the commissioner, leading to the arrest of one suspect, Lucky Adoh, and a manhunt for two others, Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine.
The case has since drawn public attention, with organised labour in Delta State declaring a strike over the controversial death and workers at the secretariat reportedly shutting down activities in protest.
In Monday’s update, the Delta State Police Command reiterated its commitment to due process, assuring Adeda’s family and the public that the investigation would follow legal channels to its logical conclusion.
“The command’s heartfelt condolences go to the deceased family,” the statement read, as CP Erale, maintained that the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) would continue to lead the probe. Police specifically called on Mrs Ufuoma and Mr Apia to present themselves to investigators without further delay, noting that their cooperation is critical to establishing the full facts around Adeda’s death.
The command’s latest moves mark a significant escalation in a case that has already rattled the state civil service and triggered demands from labour unions and political actors for a transparent and conclusive investigation.