The Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, is in a state of fear and anger following the recent death of its 81-year-old treasurer, Dennis Okugbaye, in military detention. Okugbaye’s passing comes just six days after the community’s President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, reportedly died under similar circumstances in military custody.
Pastor Akpos Okugbaye, the son of the late treasurer, confirmed his father’s death on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the grieving community. Both Okugbaye and Pa Oghoroko, alongside other local leaders including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka, were arrested by military forces between August 18 and 20, 2024. The arrests followed the killing of 17 soldiers on a peace mission on March 14, aimed at resolving a dispute between Okuama and the neighboring Okoloba community.
In retaliation for the soldiers’ deaths, the military launched a violent raid on Okuama, reducing the town to ruins and displacing residents to an internally displaced persons camp in Ewu Kingdom, set up by the Delta State government.
The deaths of Pa Oghoroko and Okugbaye have sparked renewed protests from the Okuama community. On Tuesday, local youths and women reiterated their seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the military, demanding the release of all detained leaders and the return of Pa Oghoroko’s body. Protesters vowed to block the river and take drastic action if their demands were not met.
Elder Ohwotake Otiero, speaking on behalf of the protesters, condemned the deaths in detention, calling 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 President-General be killed through torture?” he said.
Despite multiple attempts to seek comment, military authorities have yet to respond to the allegations.
Human rights groups and civil society organizations have joined in demanding justice. During a joint press conference in Warri to mark International Human Rights Day, advocacy groups, led by Pastor Edewor Egedegbe of the Value Rebirth & Empower Initiative and Sir John Ebireri of the Ewu Clan Development Forum, condemned the prolonged detention of Okuama leaders without trial.
“These individuals have been in detention for over 113 days without any charges 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,” the groups stated, calling for an investigation into the deaths of Pa Oghoroko and Pa Okugbaye and urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
Additionally, the Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group condemned the military’s actions, labeling them a gross violation of human rights and a direct affront to the dignity of the Okuama people. The group urged international human rights organizations to intervene and called for a thorough, unbiased investigation into both the killing of soldiers and the subsequent military reprisals.
As the expiration of the ultimatum draws near, tensions remain high in Okuama, with residents vowing to take drastic action if their demands are not met.
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