The Nigerian navy has revealed it is currently holding three of its personnel and a civilian in close custody while investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of one Ifeanyi Richard Onumaegbu, a civilian staff member at the Nigerian navy reference hospital in navy town, Ojo, Lagos state.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 11th, 2024, by its spokesman, commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the Nigerian navy expressed sadness over Mr. Onumaegbu’s demise and the events leading up to it.
According to the statement, mr. Onumaegbu, a longstanding employee of the nigerian navy reference hospital, was found dead in his office after an altercation with individuals had taken place.
The statement acknowledged his integral role within the navy family, having served diligently since 2009 in the laboratory department.
The statement further revealed that on march 31st, 2024, Onumaegbu was found lifeless in his office, following an altercation four days earlier with a civilian woman and some navy personnel at the navy town barracks.
Consequently, all individuals suspected to be involved in the altercation were identified and are currently in custody.
“The Nigerian Navy (NN) is deeply saddened by the demise of Mr Ifeanyi Richard Onumaegbu and the circumstances surrounding his death.”
“The NN wishes to inform the general public that the deceased was an integral part of the NN family as a civilian staff of the Ministry of Defence attached to the Laboratory Department of the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH) Ojo, Lagos since 2009 and he served meritoriously. On 31 March 2024, he was found lifeless in his office at NNRH. A preliminary investigation revealed that 4 days earlier, on 26 March 2024, the deceased was involved in an altercation with a civilian lady and some NN personnel in Navy Town barracks.
Consequently, all suspected personnel and the civilian lady involved in the previous altercation were identified and are currently under close custody.
‘The NN has facilitated the movement of the deceased’s body to a reputable government hospital in Lagos based on the request of the family for an autopsy. The NN further wishes to assure his family and general public that all necessary measures are being taken to unravel the cause of death and any person found culpable would be prosecuted according to extant laws.” The statement read.
