The Nigerian Navy has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of one of its civilian staff members, Mr. Ifeanyi Onumaegbu. Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, announced the investigation in Lagos on Thursday, expressing deep sadness over the tragic incident.
Onumaegbu passed away at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Ojo, Lagos, where he was employed. According to Vice-Adm. Ogalla, Onumaegbu had been a civilian staff member of the Ministry of Defence attached to the Laboratory Department of the NNRH since 2009.
The Chief of Naval Staff revealed that Onumaegbu was found lifeless in his office on March 31, prompting a preliminary investigation into the circumstances leading to his death. It was discovered that Onumaegbu had been involved in an altercation with a civilian lady and some Nigerian Navy personnel in Navy Town Barracks on March 26.
As part of the investigation, all suspected personnel and the civilian lady involved in the altercation have been identified and are currently under close custody. The Nigerian Navy has also facilitated the movement of Onumaegbu’s body to a reputable government hospital in Lagos for an autopsy, following the family’s request.
Vice-Adm. Ogalla assured Onumaegbu’s family and the public that all necessary measures are being taken to uncover the cause of his death. He emphasized that any individual found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with existing laws.
The Joint Executive Council of the Ministry of Defence had previously organized a peaceful mourning protest on April 8 to express grief over Onumaegbu’s death. The protest, held across all civilian personnel units of the Ministry of Defence, reflects the widespread concern and demand for transparency in investigating the circumstances surrounding Onumaegbu’s tragic demise.