Nigerian serving drug term dies in India

August 25, 2026 12:07 am

Adedoyin Adedugbe

A 47-year-old Nigerian national, Alex Tochukwu, who was serving a jail term at District Jail Bhondsi in Gurgaon, India, over his connection with drug offences, has reportedly died at an Indian hospital.

PUNCH Metro learnt from the India Times on Monday that Tochukwu, who had been in custody at the Bhondsi jail since 2024, was confirmed dead after his health deteriorated.

According to the police, Osuji had been experiencing several health complications in the days before his death, including fever, reduced food intake and difficulty breathing.

The report disclosed that his condition worsened during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, prompting jail authorities to move him to the government hospital in Sector 10 for medical attention.

The report noted that a police spokesperson confirmed that Osuji died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

“His condition deteriorated during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, following which he was shifted to the government hospital in Sector 10 for treatment. He died during treatment,” the spokesperson said.

The police further said Osuji was HIV-positive and had been suffering from other health-related problems before his condition became critical.

Following his death, authorities initiated proceedings to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A board was constituted to investigate the death under the supervision of a magistrate, while necessary proceedings were commenced in accordance with the law.

The police said Osuji’s body was subsequently kept at the Gurgaon mortuary.

The circumstances surrounding the death are expected to be examined as part of the inquiry, particularly the sequence of events leading to his transfer from the Bhondsi jail to the government hospital.

This incident brings attention to the health condition of the Nigerian national while in detention, with authorities now tasked with establishing the circumstances surrounding his final hours.

Police said further necessary action would be taken based on the findings of the magistrate-supervised inquiry.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]