The Delta State Police Command has clarified the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Paul Obukohwo after he was arrested and detained by operatives of the command’s Rapid Response Squad, RRS.
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, said the deceased while in custody was diagnosed with low sugar and later died while receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba.
“The command is aware of a series of publications making rounds across some social media platforms alleging that operatives of the command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) tortured one Mr. Paul Obukohwo to death.
“For the avoidance of doubt and for members of the public not to be misled, especially via social media, which has been known to be an easy way to spread falsehood, the command wishes to state thus;
“On the 26th of March 2025, at about 1545 hours, operatives of the command’s Rapid response squad raided a black spot along Okpanam road and arrested one Prosper Odili ‘m’ aged 24yrs with military camouflage while others took to their heels.
“The deceased, Paul Obukohwo, who obstructed the Police from arresting his brother and damaged the Patrol vehicle in the process, was later arrested. While Paul Obukohwo was in custody, he fell sick and was taken to Police Hospital Asaba where he was diagnosed with hypoglycaemia (Low sugar).
“Due to the severity of his condition, he was referred to Asaba Specialist Hospital and later referred to Federal Medical Centre Asaba, where he died while receiving treatment.
“The Command is not oblivious to the fact that there are complaints emanating from social media and the brother of the deceased alleging that the Police tortured him while he was in custody.
“For this reason and to avoid doubt, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police State Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a thorough investigation.
“The command, therefore, calls on members of his family to come to the headquarters for commencement of the investigation
“The CP, while condoling the family of the deceased, assures them that no stone will be left unturned and that if the operatives are found culpable, they will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” said the command in the statement.
