Bayelsa Govt Insists on Probe into Admiral Ikoli’s Death

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

To put to rest insinuations that Rear Admiral Daniel Ikoli, a senior naval officer who died in his Apapa home in Lagos, was murdered, the federal government must urgently find the cause of his death, the Bayelsa State government said wednesday.

The government urged all the investigating agencies to look at all the angles to the man’s death, including his avowed opposition to corruption and the role he played in the probe panel into arms procurement set up by the federal government.

According to a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, “The Bayelsa State Government notes with regret and disbelief, the reported mysterious and untimely death of Rear Admiral Daniel Ikoli, in his official residence at Apapa in Lagos on April 5, 2017.

“A thorough investigation to ascertain the real cause of Admiral Ikoli’s death would go a long way in addressing words already making the rounds in certain quarters that he was murdered because of his stance on corruption and his role in the ongoing arms procurement probe committee, which he served”

The government further described the news of Admiral Ikoli’s death as most shocking and painful, “considering his enviable track record of service in the navy.”

While condoling with the family, the Peremabiri Community, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Nigerian Navy, the government called on the leadership of the Nigerian military and the office of the National Security Adviser to unravel the mystery surrounding Ikoli’s death through a proper investigation.

“The Bayelsa State Government further calls on the agencies of government not to treat the matter with levity. We note the circumstances surrounding the death of late Admiral Ikoli.

“The government prays God to grant his soul eternal rest as well as his family the fortitude to bear the painful and irreparable loss,” the statement concluded.