The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has ordered a thorough investigation into the death of 24-year-old upcoming artist, Paul Obukohwo.

The directive was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who urged the deceased’s family to visit the police headquarters to initiate the probe.

Obukohwo was said to have been tortured to death while in the custody of operatives of the Rapid Response Squad.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Abaniwonda assured them that officers found culpable after the probe would face the full weight of the law.

According to the police statement, the incident occurred on March 26, 2025, at about 3:45 p.m. when RRS operatives raided a known black spot along Okpanam Road.

During the operation, they arrested a suspect, Prosper Odili, 24, who was allegedly wearing military camouflage, while others fled the scene.

The statement added, “The deceased 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.”

According to Edafe, the command was not oblivious to the fact that there were complaints emanating from social media and the brother of the deceased alleging that the police tortured him while he was in custody.

The Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and Youth Mobilisation to the Delta State Governor, Harrison Gwamnishu, has decried the rise in kidnapping in some parts of the state allegedly perpetrated by some Fulani herders.

Gwamnishu disclosed this in multiple Facebook posts on Thursday while referencing the death of a female land agent, Esther Osaze, whose dead body was found on Wednesday.

TheNigerian Metro reports that Esther was abducted on Monday on her way returning from the estate site alongside other colleagues.

It was learnt that she, with three other people, went to inspect a piece of land close to the Nigerian Admiralty University, Ibasa, when they were attacked by the gunmen.

However, her body was found dead on Wednesday in the Ibusa community, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State.

While expressing sadness over Esther’s death, the SSA noted that some of the victims were still in the kidnappers’ den because their families could not pay the requested ransom.

He wrote, “Esther was tragically killed by kidnappers who had been operating in Ibusa, Ogwashi, Azagba, Issele-Azagba, and Ubulu-Uku for months.

“As a realtor, she was abducted while in the bush behind the Admiralty University, and her lifeless body was discovered yesterday. It is important to note that there are still other kidnapped victims in the bush whose families can’t pay the huge ransoms demanded.

“Thanks to the Aniocha South and Oshimili North LGA chairmen for mobilising our local vigilantes.”

“We must begin to use our platforms to tell the world the war we are currently fighting. Because it’s not getting to them is the reason they are quiet.

“The world should know that some Fulani kidnappers have surrounded Aniocha/Oshimili and other parts of Delta State.”

He, however, warned intending land buyers to be wary of some areas in the state, stressing that they had become hotspots of kidnapping.

“The below towns are where the kidnappings are happening daily and not Asaba. These areas are where some of these real estate companies are selling to you, telling you it is three minutes away from Asaba airport.

“Otilu, Okiti, Issele, Ibusa, Azagba, Ubulu Uku, Akwukwu Igbo, and Ugbolu are not in Asaba. Always ask them to give you the name of where the supposed land is located.

“Before you join them in the bush, make sure security is guaranteed. Without security, don’t go. Don’t go, don’t go,” Gwamnishu said.

Twenty-four hours after TheNigerian Metro reported the abduction of a female real estate realtor simply identified as Esther Osaze, her dead body was found on Wednesday in Ibusa community, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State.

Esther was abducted on Monday on her way from the estate site alongside other colleagues.

TheNigerian Metro gathered on Wednesday that Esther was in company with three other colleagues when she was abducted while others managed to escape.

It was learnt that Esther with three other people went to inspect a piece of land close to the Nigeria Admiralty University, Ibasa when they were attacked by the gunmen.

A source in the community told our correspondent that the body of the abducted lady was found on Tuesday evening.

“The kidnappers have killed the lady. Her body was found Tuesday evening. The gunmen shot at the vehicle and the others escaped while the girl was whisked away and now her dead body was found.”

It was learnt that her body was found blindfolded and bruised.

A close family friend who lamented the situation told our correspondent that Esther Osaze finished her National Youth Service Corps scheme last year and ventured into the real estate business following the failure of securing a job in one of the banks and other places she applied for.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bright Edafe, confirmed the killing.

He said, “Yes, the lady was killed and her body was dumped on the road. The police have deposited her body in the morgue.”

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The Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, has rejected a call by Francis Waive, a member of the House of Representatives, for the party to adopt Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as its candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election,

Waive’s recent statement called on the party to adopt Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as a sole candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election.

However, the party, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, distanced itself from Waive’s remarks, stressing that his position was strictly personal and did not reflect the stance of Delta APC.

It assured members and the public that the party’s candidate for the next election would emerge through a transparent and competitive process, reflecting the people’s aspirations for real change.

“We wish to state unequivocally that Waive’s position is purely his personal opinion and does not reflect the stance of Delta APC, its leadership, or the generality of its members,” the statement read.

The party criticized Governor Oborevwori’s administration, describing it as a “monumental disappointment” and accusing it of financial recklessness and a lack of developmental progress.

“Despite receiving over ₦2 trillion in federal allocations, the Oborevwori administration has failed to deliver any meaningful infrastructural, economic or social advancements for the people of Delta State”

Reaffirming its commitment to unseating the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the APC emphasized that it has “an array of eminently qualified and capable individuals who will offer Deltans a viable and credible alternative in 2027.

The Delta APC urged its members and the general public to disregard Waive’s statement, maintaining its determination to “rescue Delta State from the shackles of misrule and the failures of the PDP-led administration.” it stated.

The body of a female real estate realtor simply identified as Esther Osaze was found dead on Wednesday in the Ibusa community, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State.

Esther was abducted on Monday on her way returning from the estate site alongside other colleagues.

TheNigerian Metro gathered that Esther was in the company of three other colleagues when she was abducted, while others managed to escape.

It was learnt that Esther, with three other people, went to inspect a piece of land close to the Nigerian Admiralty University, Ibasa, when they were attacked by the gunmen.

A source in the community, who does not want to be named, told our correspondent that the body of the abducted lady was found on Tuesday evening.

“The kidnappers have killed the lady, her body was found Tuesday evening. The gunmen shot at the vehicle and the others escaped while the girl was whisked away by the gunmen and now her body was found dead,” the source stated.

It was learnt that her body was found blindfolded and bruised.

A close family friend who lamented the situation told our correspondent that Esther Osaze finished her NYSC last year and ventured into the real estate business following the failure of securing a job in one of the banks and other places she applied for.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the killing.

He said, “Yes, the lady was killed and her body was dumped on the road. The police have deposited her body to the morgue”

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Gunmen have abducted a female realtor, identified simply as Esther, in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident, which occurred on Monday near the Admiralty University of Nigeria, comes just days after a farmer was kidnapped in Issele-Azagba.

TheNigerian Online gathered that Esther was inspecting a piece of land alongside three colleagues when the attackers struck.

“They went for inspection, and they were on their way back when they were ambushed.

“The gunmen shot at the vehicle, and the others escaped while the girl was whisked away by the gunmen,” a source said.

One of the escapees reportedly sustained gunshot wounds and is currently in critical condition at a hospital.

Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said officers sent to rescue the victim were ambushed, and one policeman was shot.

He said, “Yes, it’s confirmed. Some police officers who were going for the rescue of the victim were ambushed, and a police officer was shot, but nobody died.”

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Some gunmen on Monday ambushed policemen on a rescue operation after a female real estate realtor was abducted in Ibusa community, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State. This happened barely four days after gunmen kidnapped a farmer in Issele-Azagba area of the state.

TheNigerian Metro gathered on Tuesday that the realtor, simply identified as Esther, was in the company with three of her colleagues when she was abducted.

A source in the community said Esther with other people went to inspect a piece of land close to the Nigeria Admiralty University, Ibasa, on Monday when they were attacked by the gunmen.

“They went for inspection and they were on their way back when they were ambushed.

“The gunmen shot at the vehicle and the others escaped while the girl was whisked away,” the source said.

The source said one of those who escaped sustained bullet wounds and is in critical condition in a hospital receiving treatment.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

He said, “Yes, it’s confirmed. Some police officers who were going for the rescue of the victim were ambushed and a police officer was shot but nobody was killed.”

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