NDDC: We don’t know the cause of our executive director’s death

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says the cause of the death of Ibanga Bassey Etang, its acting executive director, finance and administration, is not yet known.

There was a high level of suspicion that Etang died from COVID-19 after the commission shut down its head office in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, and asked staff to self-isolate immediately.

But in a statement on Friday, Charles Odili, NDDC’s director of public affairs, said until an autopsy report is conducted, rumours about the cause of his death should be dismissed.

“The commission is not aware of the cause of his death as at the time of this release (6.45pm on Friday, 29, 2020),” the statement read.

“In line with fears of the current time, the commission took the precautionary measure of temporarily shutting down its headquarters for two weeks. Staff were also asked to self-isolate. This action does not presuppose the cause of death.

“An autopsy report is being expected and when this is ready, it would be released with the consent of the family.

“The NDDC is, therefore, miffed by spurious and uncharitable coloration being championed by mischief makers on the occasion of the demise of Chief Ibanga Bassey Etang, whose untimely death occurred at the early hours of Thursday the 28th of May 2020.

“The commission is on course to issuing a comprehensive fact-based statement in consonance with the bereaved family, but for the unwarranted and unsubstantiated reportage which is flying in devilish propensities.

“Until the autopsy report is release from the commission’s stables, every story on this matter, flies in the face of truth.”