At the time of this report, Paul Obukowho’s body remained on the floor of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba, surrounded by grieving family and friends demanding justice.
Paul, a 24-year-old aspiring musician, reportedly lost his life after being arrested and tortured by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) under the Delta State Police Command in Asaba.
According to police sources, the incident began on Wednesday when 19-year-old Prosper Odili was randomly arrested by RRS operatives around 8:00 a.m. along Redeemed Road, Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government Area. Officers later took him to his home for a search before detaining him at the police headquarters in Asaba.
Eyewitnesses reported that Prosper had been walking with a friend when RRS officers, formerly part of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), stopped and detained them without cause. After searching their residences and finding nothing incriminating, one was released while Prosper remained in custody.
That same day, around 5:00 p.m., Paul Obukowho visited the RRS office to understand the reason for Prosper’s arrest and possibly secure his release. However, upon arrival, he was detained, handcuffed, and subjected to severe torture.
By Thursday night, Paul collapsed in the cell due to his injuries. He was initially taken to the police clinic, but as his condition worsened, he was transferred first to the Specialist Hospital in Asaba and later to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC). Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday.
A source familiar with the case reported that the officers who brought Paul to the hospital fled the premises immediately after his death.
As of this report, Paul’s remains were still at the FMC in Asaba, while his distraught family and friends continued to call for justice.
Attempts to contact the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, for a statement were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
