The Okuama community in Delta State’s Ughelli South Local Government Area is experiencing heightened fear and anger following the death of their 81-year-old treasurer, Dennis Okugbaye, while in military detention.
His passing occurred just six days after the reported death of the community’s President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, also under similar circumstances in military custody.
Pastor Akpos Okugbaye, the son of the deceased treasurer, emotional shared his father’s death on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through a community already in mourning. Both Okugbaye and Oghoroko, along with others including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka, were taken into custody by military forces between August 18 and August 20, 2024.
These arrests followed the killing of 17 soldiers on a peace mission to mediate a conflict between Okuama and the nearby Okoloba community on March 14. In response to the soldiers’ deaths, the military launched a violent raid on Okuama, devastating the town and forcing residents into an internally displaced persons camp established by the Delta State government.
The recent death of Pa Okugbaye has reignited protests within the community. On Tuesday, outraged youths and women from Okuama renewed their seven-day ultimatum to both the Federal Government and military, demanding the release of all detained leaders and the return of Pa Oghoroko’s remains. Protesters, declaring, “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,” expressed their desperation.
Elder Ohwotake Otiero, addressing the crowd, condemned the detention-related deaths and called for swift action. “We want the corpse and those detained to be released immediately. We have been pushed to the wall, and if that continues, we’ll take the law into our own hands. Why should our President-General be killed through torture?”
Despite multiple attempts for clarification, military authorities have not responded to the unfolding situation. Human rights organizations and civil society groups have joined the call for accountability. At a joint press conference in Warri, coinciding with International Human Rights Day, advocacy leaders, including Pastor Edewor Egedegbe of the Value Rebirth & Empower Initiative and Sir John Ebireri of the Ewu Clan Development Forum, criticized the protracted detention of Okuama leaders without trial.
“These individuals have been in detention for over 113 days without any charges. This violates their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, undermining both democracy and the rule of law,” the groups stated.
They urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Hon. Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Malaka, and Owhemu Mabel, along with any other detained Africans from Okuama. The demand also included the establishment of a commission to investigate both the March 14 incident and the military’s subsequent actions.
The Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group condemned military actions, labeling them a serious infringement on human rights and the dignity of Okuama residents. In a statement signed by Mr. Okpare Theophilus Onojeghen, Chief Omafume Amurun, and Comrade Shedrack Onitsha, they urged international human rights organizations to intervene and called for an impartial investigation into the circumstances of the soldiers’ deaths and the military response.
“With our solidarity with the bereaved families, we will persist in demanding a thorough and unbiased investigation into this tragic incident,” the group affirmed.
As the ultimatum draws closer to its deadline, the atmosphere in Okuama remains tense, with residents pledging severe action if their demands go unmet.
