Staff of the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education have called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Deputy Director in the ministry, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.

Adeda reportedly died after he was rushed to the Asaba Specialist Hospital following an incident at the ministry’s Examination and Standards Department.

The circumstances surrounding his death have generated conflicting accounts, prompting ministry workers to urge the police and other relevant authorities to establish the facts and determine what transpired before his death.

Sources within the ministry said Adeda, who had recently been redeployed as Chief Inspector of Education (CIE), Isoko South, had been posted to the Science Education Department, with his office located at the state secretariat.

According to the sources, however, Adeda drove to the Examination and Standards Department, where he allegedly became violent and used his vehicle to ram into cars and damage property within the premises.

The sources also claimed that Adeda had a history of mental health challenges known to some staff members, stressing that the information should be considered by investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

They further referred to video footage from the department, located off Mariam Babangida Way, which they said captured Adeda repeatedly ramming vehicles and property with his car, allegedly putting the lives of staff at risk.

The sources said the video evidence and medical records should form part of any investigation rather than allowing speculation to determine the narrative surrounding the death.

“There is considerable ambiguity surrounding the incident. No conclusion should be reached without a proper investigation,” a ministry staff member said.

The worker appealed to the police and other authorities to conduct a discreet and professional investigation capable of establishing the sequence of events leading to Adeda’s death.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, has denied allegations that he ordered anyone to assault the deceased.

Ashibogwu said he responded to repeated distress calls from the Director of Examinations, who reportedly informed him that Adeda had attacked people and threatened to kill anyone who approached him.

The Commissioner said that when he encountered Adeda, he asked whether the deceased knew him, but Adeda allegedly responded that he did not want to know him and threatened to attack anyone who came close.

Ashibogwu further alleged that Adeda became violent during the encounter and attacked him.

The Commissioner, who described himself as a non-violent person, urged the public and the media to allow the investigation to determine what happened.

He said the circumstances should be assessed through verifiable evidence, including available video footage and relevant medical information, rather than speculation.

The ministry workers similarly maintained that only an independent and transparent investigation could resolve the conflict.