A rising Nigerian music artist, Paul Obukowho, aged 24, has died in police custody after allegedly being tortured by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Delta State Police Command in Asaba.
According to sources, Paul was not arrested during an operation but had voluntarily gone to the RRS office on Wednesday evening to inquire about his friend, 19-year-old Prosper Odili, who was randomly picked up earlier that day by police officers along Redeemed Road, Okpanam, and detained without evidence of any crime.
Paul’s gesture of concern turned fatal. Upon arrival at the RRS office, he was reportedly detained without explanation, handcuffed on both hands and legs, and thrown into a cell where he was subjected to brutal torture.
By Thursday night, Paul collapsed from injuries sustained during the torture and was taken to a police clinic. When the clinic couldn’t manage his condition, he was referred to Specialist Hospital, and subsequently to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba. Tragically, Paul succumbed to his injuries at about 4:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Sources told reporters that officers who transported Paul to the hospital fled immediately after he was pronounced dead.
As of the time of this report, Paul’s lifeless body remained on the floor at FMC Asaba, surrounded by distraught friends and family members demanding justice.
Efforts to reach Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, for comment were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.
The incident has sparked outrage, with many calling for an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding Paul’s death and the activities of the RRS unit in Delta State.
Civil rights groups have condemned the killing and renewed calls for police reform and the complete dismantling of rogue units formerly known as SARS, now operating under different designations like RRS.
Paul Obukowho’s death adds to the growing list of young Nigerians allegedly tortured or killed in police custody, raising fresh concerns about unchecked brutality in the country’s law enforcement system.
