Navy investigates death of civilian staff after altercation with personnel

The Nigerian Navy (NN) said it has launched a full investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Ifeanyi Richard Onumaegbu, a civilian staff member who worked at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH) Ojo, Lagos.

The Navy in a statement by it’s spokesman, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams – Aliu, on Thursday, said on March 31, 2024, Mr. Onumaegbu was discovered lifeless in his office at NNRH.

According to the statement, four days prior to his passing, on March 26, 2024, Mr. Onumaegbu was involved in an altercation with a civilian woman and some NN personnel in Navy Town barracks.

Those involved in the altercation, the Navy said have been identified and are currently in custody.

The Navy expressed sadness over the death of Mr. Onumaegbu, describing him as an integral part of the NN family since 2009.

The statement reads in part, “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.”