24-Year-Old Singer, Paul Obukowho Reportedly Dies In Police Custody In Delta

A 24-year-old singer, Paul Obukowho, has reportedly died while in police custody after allegedly being tortured by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) under the Delta State Police Command in Asaba.

According to SaharaReporters, a police source confirmed that Paul Obukowho was detained after visiting the RRS office to inquire about the arrest of his friend, Prosper Odili.

Prosper was reportedly picked up at random by RRS operatives on Wednesday morning along Redeemed Road, Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

Officers later took him to his house for a search but found nothing incriminating.

While one of the men initially arrested with him was released, Prosper was taken to the police headquarters in Asaba and held in a cell.

Paul Obukowho went to the RRS office later that day to ask about his friend’s arrest and possibly secure his bail.

However, instead of getting answers, he was detained, handcuffed on both hands and legs, and subjected to severe torture before being thrown into a cell.

By Thursday night, Paul reportedly collapsed due to injuries sustained from the torture.

He was taken to the police clinic, but his condition worsened, leading to his transfer to the Specialist Hospital in Asaba and later to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.

Despite the medical intervention, Paul succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Saturday around 4:00 a.m. The police officers who had brought him to the hospital allegedly fled the scene immediately after his death.

The source said, “Prosper Odili was actually walking in company of a friend on Wednesday morning around 8am when men of the RRS, former SARS from police headquarters in Asaba, along the Redeemed road, Okpanam accosted and arrested them unjustly without committing any crime. 

“The police then took the two men back to their houses for a search and after the search, nothing incriminating was found and at that point the police released one of the boys and took Prosper away and put him in the cell at the police headquarters.

“And that very day at about 5pm, the deceased Paul Obukowho went to the RRS office at the state Police command to find out what happened to warrant the arrest of his friend, Prosper and possibly find a way to bail him.

“But shockingly, as Paul got there, he was detained, handcuffed on both hands and legs and was thrown into the cell with severe torture.

“On Thursday night, Paul collapsed in the cell and was rushed to the police clinic, resulting from the wounds from the torture, the clinic could not handle his situation, he was referred to Specialist Hospital Asaba.

“Finally, he was referred to the Federal Medical Center, FMC Asaba, but, unfortunately for Paul, he couldn’t survive the pains and wounds from the police torture in the cell, he died.

“Paul died in the early hours of Saturday, at about 4:00am at the FMC, Asaba. And immediately, Paul died the men of the RRS who brought him to the hospital took to their heels and ran away from the hospital premises.”

As of the time of this report, Paul’s body remains at FMC Asaba, while his family and friends demand justice.

Meanwhile, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

KanyiDaily also reported how a boy, Uchenna James Okafor, who was arrested for fighting with two others, allegedly died in police custody in Akwuzu, Anambra state.