- Safiu Kehinde
A 24-year-old upcoming music artist, Paul Obukowho, has allegedly died in Police Custody after being reportedly arrested and tortured by the men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Delta State Police Command, Asaba.
The late singer had reportedly visited the RRS office last week Wednesday following the arrest of his friend, one 19-year-old Prosper Odili.
According to report, Odili was arrested by the RRS operatives along the Redeemed road Okpanam road, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state at about 8:00am.
He was taken to his house for a search after which he was taken to the cell at the police headquarters, Asaba.
A source disclosed how the deceased Paul had visited the RRS office to bail Odili but was also arrested by the RRS and allegedly tortured.
He would be rushed to the police clinic the following day after collapsing and eventually died at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.
The RRS officials, according to the source, allegedly fled from the hospital after Paul was confirmed dead.
“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.” The source said.
Reacting in a post on his X handle on Sunday, the Delta Police Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, could not ascertain if the deceased artist was tortured in custody.
Edafe, however confirmed, that Paul did not die in cell.
He disclosed that the deceased was diagnosed with hypoglycaemia (low sugar).
The Command’s Commissioner, Abaniwonda Olufemi, has, according to Edafe, ordered an investigation which will demand that an autopsy be conducted.
“I can’t say if he was beaten or not because I was not there, but what I know is that he didn’t die in the cell, he was treated in three hospitals, a police clinic, Asaba Specialist Hospital, and Federal Medical Center where he later died.
“He was diagnosed with hypoglycaemia (low sugar). We don’t know the cause of death, but the CP has ordered an investigation which will demand that an autopsy be conducted.” Edafe wrote.