An up-and-coming Nigerian singer, Paul Obukowho, has tragically passed away while in police custody in Delta State. Reports indicate that the 24-year-old singer was detained and allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) under the Delta State Police Command in Asaba.
According to SaharaReporters, a police source confirmed the incident, stating that Paul’s friend, Prosper Odili, was randomly arrested by RRS officers on Wednesday morning along Redeemed Road, Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government Area at approximately 8:00 AM. Prosper was taken to his home for a search, after which he was brought to the police cell at the headquarters in Asaba.
The source further noted that Paul visited the RRS office later that day to inquire about his friend’s arrest and seek a way to help him. Shockingly, Paul was also detained upon his arrival, handcuffed on both his hands and legs, and thrown into the cell where he was severely tortured.
The source explained, “Prosper Odili was walking with a friend on Wednesday morning when RRS officers, formerly part of SARS from the police headquarters in Asaba, approached them and arrested them without cause. After a search of their homes yielded no incriminating evidence, one of the men was released, while Prosper was taken to the police cell. That afternoon, around 5 PM, Paul Obukowho went to the RRS office to inquire about his friend. However, he too was detained, handcuffed, and thrown into the cell, where he endured severe torture.”
On Thursday night, Paul collapsed in the cell due to the injuries sustained from the torture. He was rushed to the police clinic, but his condition was too severe for the clinic to handle, and he was referred to a Specialist Hospital in Asaba. Unfortunately, his condition continued to worsen, and he was later transferred to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Asaba, where he succumbed to his injuries early on Saturday morning at around 4:00 AM.
Upon Paul’s death, the RRS officers who had brought him to the hospital reportedly fled the premises. As of the latest reports, Paul’s body remains in the FMC Asaba, while his family and friends demand justice. At the time of writing, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, has not issued a statement regarding the incident.