Categories: News

Nigerian Army Faces Criticism Over Silence on Okuama Leaders’ Deaths in Custody

The Nigerian Army has yet to confirm or release a statement regarding the deaths of two leaders from the Okuama community in Delta State.

EKO HOT BLOG reports reported that the President-General of Okuama, Pa James Oghoroko, and the community’s 81-year-old treasurer, Dennis Okugbaye, died while in military custody within six days of each other. Oghoroko and Okugbaye were detained alongside four others—Prof.

Arthur Ekpekpo, Belvis Adogbo, Mabel Owhemu, and Dennis Malaka—during a military operation that took place between August 18 and 20, 2024.

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Their arrests followed the tragic deaths of 17 soldiers who were on a peace mission to mediate a dispute between Okuama and the neighboring Okoloba community on March 14, 2024.

The deaths of the two leaders in detention have sparked outrage in Okuama, with local youths and women issuing a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to release the detained individuals and return the body of Pa Oghoroko.

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This ultimatum reflects the deep anger and grief felt by the community, which accuses the military of violating the rights of their leaders.

When contacted for details on the deaths, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, referred inquiries to the Army Headquarters, stating, “Kindly channel this question to the spokespersons for the army, please.”

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