The Okuama community in Delta State’s Ughelli South Local Government Area is in a state of terror and outrage following the death of its 81-year-old treasurer, Dennis Okugbaye, while in military custody.
Okugbaye’s death comes just six days after the community’s President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, allegedly died under identical circumstances in military custody.
Pastor Akpos Okugbaye, the late community treasurer’s son, broke down in tears as he revealed his father’s death on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the already bereaved community.
The military detained both leaders, together with Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka, between August 18 and 20, 2024.
The arrests came after 17 soldiers were killed on March 14 during a peace mission to settle a disagreement between Okuama and the neighbouring Okoloba community.
In response to the soldiers’ deaths, the military launched a deadly raid on Okuama, destroying the town and forcing inhabitants to evacuate to an internally displaced persons camp in Ewu Kingdom established by the Delta State government.
The death of Pa Okugbaye has sparked further community demonstrations.
On Tuesday, Okuama youths and women reiterated their seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the military, demanding the release of all jailed leaders and the repatriation of Pa Oghoroko’s body.
“After the seven days, this river will be blocked. Let the soldiers and Tinubu come and kill us so that we know Okuama is wiped out entirely,” protesters declared on Sunday.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Elder Ohwotake Otiero condemned the deaths in detention and called for immediate action.
“We want the corpse and those detained to be released immediately. We will take the laws into our hands because we have been pushed to the wall. Why should our P-G be killed through torture?”
Despite repeated attempts, military officials have made no comments on the matter.
Human rights and civil society organisations have also joined the call for justice.
At a joint news conference in Warri commemorating International Human Rights Day, advocacy groups led by Pastor Edewor Egedegbe of Value Rebirth & Empower Initiative and Sir John Ebireri of Ewu Clan Development Forum criticised the Okuama leaders’ continued arrest without trial.
“These individuals have been in detention for over 113 days without any charge brought against them. This is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. Their detention breaches the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” they stated.
The groups called for an investigation into the deaths of Pa Oghoroko and Pa Okugbaye and urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
“We demand that you (President Tinubu) order the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Hon. Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Amalaka, and Owhemu Mabel, as well as any other detained Okuama indigene. We also demand the establishment of a special commission of inquiry to investigate the March 14 crisis, the military’s reprisal, and the burning of Okuama.”
In addition, the Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group slammed the military’s actions, calling them a grave violation of human rights and Okuama citizens’ dignity.
“This incident is a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the dignity of the Okuama people,” the group said in a statement signed by Mr. Okpare Theophilus Onojeghen, Chief Omafume Amurun, and Comrade Shedrack Onitsha.
The group encouraged international human rights organisations to intercede and demanded an impartial probe of both the death of troops and the ensuing military retaliation.
“As a body of media practitioners, we’ll continue to condemn the gruesome and unjustified killing of the 17 military personnel. While we console the grieving families, we demand an unbiased and holistic probe into the tragic incident,” the group added.
At the time of filing this report, tensions remain high in Okuama as the ultimatum nears its expiration, with residents vowing to take drastic measures if their demands are not met.
