The Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State is in mourning and outrage following the death of its 81-year-old treasurer, Dennis Okugbaye, in military custody.
His death comes just six days after the community’s President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, reportedly died under similar circumstances while in detention.
Both leaders, along with others including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka, were detained by the military between August 18 and 20, 2024. The arrests followed the killing of 17 soldiers on March 14 during a peace mission meant to resolve a land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities.
The military responded with a raid on Okuama, leaving the town in ruins and forcing residents to flee to an internally displaced persons camp set up in Ewu Kingdom by the Delta State Government.
Following the death of Pa Okugbaye, Okuama youths and women renewed their protests, issuing a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the military to release the detained leaders and return the body of Pa Oghoroko.
“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 during a Sunday rally.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Elder Ohwotake Otiero condemned the deaths in detention and demanded immediate action. “We want the corpse and those detained to be released immediately. Why should our President-General be killed through torture?” he questioned.
Human rights organizations and advocacy groups have joined the calls for justice. During a press conference in Warri on International Human Rights Day, groups including Value Rebirth & Empower Initiative and Ewu Clan Development Forum criticized the prolonged detention of Okuama leaders 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,” stated Pastor Edewor Egedegbe and Sir John Ebireri.
They demanded President Bola Tinubu’s intervention and called for the release of all detained Okuama leaders.
“We urge the President to order the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Hon. Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Amalaka, and Mrs. Owhemu Mabel. We also demand a special commission of inquiry to investigate the March 14 crisis and the military’s actions in Okuama,” they added.
The Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group described the military’s actions as a violation of human rights. “This incident is a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the dignity of the Okuama people,” said a statement signed by Mr. Okpare Theophilus Onojeghen and others.
The group urged international human rights organizations to step in and called for a fair investigation into both the killing of soldiers and the subsequent military reprisals.
Sir John Ebireri, Director of Public Relations for the Ewu Clan Development Forum, emphasized the illegality of the military’s actions. “No authority or security agency has the legal justification to take anyone’s life except by court order. In the eyes of the law, our detained kinsmen are presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a court,” he stated.
