The Delta State Government has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Chief Love Shimite Bello, Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Trade and Export. She passed away in the early hours of Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, after what sources close to the family described as a brief but mysterious illness.
Shimite Bello, a respected figure in Delta’s economic development circles, was renowned for her work in advancing trade and promoting export opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the state. Her death has left a vacuum not only in the Oborevwori administration but also in the business and entrepreneurial community, where she played a pivotal role in mentoring young traders and women in business.
The circumstances surrounding her sudden demise are now under police investigation, with officials confirming a complaint lodged by her family. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the development in a press briefing on Monday.
According to Edafe, Shimite’s husband was the first to report her death and has since been taken into protective custody, not under arrest, but in response to threats allegedly made against him by members of the deceased’s family.
“He was the one who called to inform the police that his wife had died early Monday morning and said he had been receiving threats from her relatives. Based on this, we moved him into protective custody,” Edafe explained.
However, in a dramatic twist, members of Chief Shimite’s family filed a formal complaint expressing suspicion that the husband may have played a role in her death. This development has compelled the police to open a formal investigation into the circumstances of her passing.
Edafe noted that a thorough autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death, emphasizing that only scientific evidence would guide the outcome of the investigation.
“In such situations, only an autopsy can conclusively determine whether the death was natural or otherwise. We are treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves, and further updates will be provided in due course,” he said.
Born and raised in Delta State, Chief Love Shimite Bello was a vibrant and highly regarded voice in Nigeria’s trade policy landscape. Before her appointment as Special Adviser in 2023, she served in several capacities across trade promotion boards and export councils, advocating for inclusive trade policies and economic empowerment, particularly for women and rural communities.
Her death has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media and among government officials. Colleagues described her as “a visionary who was passionate about sustainable development and youth-driven innovation in trade.”
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is yet to issue an official statement, but sources at Government House in Asaba disclosed that the governor has expressed deep sorrow over her death and is expected to visit the family in the coming days.
This tragic incident marks a somber Easter season in Delta, raising questions and concerns among the public, especially given the ongoing investigation. Supporters and community members have called for calm while urging the police to carry out a thorough and impartial inquiry.
Chief Love Shimite is survived by her husband, children, and extended family members. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced as investigations continue.