Nigerian national dies after apprehension during Delhi Police’s Operation Kavach in West Delhi

A 32-year-old Nigerian national died under mysterious circumstances after being apprehended by the Special Staff of the west district of the Delhi Police during a patrol operation in west Delhi, prompting an inquiry to determine whether the case amounts to a custodial death.

According to police, the incident took place on Sunday evening during Operation Kavach , an ongoing drive aimed at intensifying patrolling in crowded areas and along major roads to check suspicious activities and prevent crime.

Police said a Special Staff team on routine patrol spotted a man riding a black scooter on the wrong side of the road near Rajouri Garden Metro station. When the officers signalled him to stop for questioning, the rider allegedly rammed his scooter into a police motorcycle and fell on the road before abandoning the vehicle and attempting to flee on foot.

After a brief chase, the police team apprehended the man and took him to the Special Staff office near Tagore Garden for questioning. During the initial interaction, he reportedly did not cooperate and soon complained of uneasiness, officials said.

Sensing that his condition was deteriorating, police shifted him to Guru Gobind Singh Hospital in Khyala for a medical examination. Doctors at the hospital declared him dead, according to medical reports.

The deceased was identified as Christian Eze Promise . His body has been kept at the mortuary of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.

Police said the incident has been reported to the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission , in accordance with guidelines for cases involving foreign nationals.

Security has also been stepped up outside the police station as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, senior officers have been assigned to conduct a detailed probe, including examination of CCTV footage tracing the sequence of events from the spot near Rajouri Garden to the hospital. The final course of legal action will depend on the post-mortem findings and the outcome of the inquiry.