By Parrot Newspaper 
The Death of Paul Obukohwo
: A Tragic Tale of Police Brutality in Delta State
By Parrot Newspaper Investigative Desk
The untimely death of 24-year-old upcoming artist, Paul Obukohwo, in the custody of the Delta State Police Command has once again ignited public outrage over allegations of police brutality and misconduct. What began as an attempt to secure the release of a detained friend ended in a tragic loss that raises disturbing questions about the conduct of law enforcement officers in Nigeria.
A Routine Bail Attempt Turns Deadly
According to eyewitness accounts, Obukohwo had gone to the headquarters of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Asaba on Wednesday to bail his 19-year-old friend, Prosper Odili. Odili had been arrested earlier that morning along Redeemed Road in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, and detained despite no incriminating evidence being found against him during a search of his residence.
Shockingly, instead of facilitating the release of his friend, Obukohwo himself was arrested, handcuffed, and subjected to severe physical assault. Sources familiar with the incident allege that the officers beat him to the point of losing consciousness before throwing him into a detention cell, where his condition rapidly deteriorated.
A Desperate Struggle for Survival
Realizing the severity of his injuries, officers at the RRS office reportedly rushed Obukohwo to the police clinic, but the facility lacked the capacity to manage his condition. He was then referred to a specialist hospital in Asaba, which also failed to provide adequate treatment, prompting another referral to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba. Despite efforts to stabilize him, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning.
The policemen who had brought him to FMC allegedly fled upon confirmation of his death, further fueling speculation of foul play. As of the time of this report, Obukohwo’s remains are still at FMC, and the Delta State Police Command has yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for the circumstances surrounding his death.
Police Narrative vs. Witness Accounts
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, has offered a contrasting version of events, claiming in a WhatsApp response that Obukohwo merely “fell sick,” was diagnosed with low blood sugar, and was referred to multiple hospitals before his demise. However, this explanation has done little to quell the outrage, as multiple witnesses insist that the young man’s injuries were the result of brutal police treatment.
A Pattern of Excessive Force?
The tragic fate of Paul Obukohwo is not an isolated incident. Reports of excessive use of force by law enforcement officers in Nigeria, particularly by special units such as the RRS and the now-defunct SARS, have been widely documented. Many families have been left mourning loved ones who perished under similar circumstances, with justice often elusive.
In a society where encounters with law enforcement can turn deadly without cause, the need for systemic reform has never been more pressing. Civil rights activists and legal experts have long decried the culture of impunity within the Nigerian police force, where accountability for such actions remains rare.
The Fight for Justice
Paul Obukohwo’s family, friends, and concerned citizens are now demanding a thorough investigation into his death. The Nigerian Bar Association, human rights organizations, and youth advocacy groups have begun mobilizing to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
While the police have promised an internal review, many fear that justice will be delayed or denied, as has often been the case in similar incidents. As the public outcry grows, all eyes will be on the Delta State government and the Nigerian Police Force to see whether they will act decisively to address yet another case of alleged brutality.
For now, the questions remain: Who will speak for Paul Obukohwo? Who will ensure that his death is not swept under the rug as just another statistic? And how many more young lives must be lost before true police reform becomes a reality in Nigeria?