The Okuama community in Delta State’s Ughelli South Local Government Area is in turmoil following the death of 81-year-old community treasurer, Dennis Okugbaye, in military custody. His death marks the second fatality of a community leader under similar conditions in less than a week.
Pastor Akpos Okugbaye, the treasurer’s son, confirmed the tragic news on Tuesday. This follows the earlier death of Pa James Oghoroko, Okuama’s President-General, in military detention. The two elderly leaders were among several community members arrested by the military in August after a deadly conflict between Okuama and the neighboring Okoloba community.
The crisis began on March 14, 2024, when 17 soldiers on a peace mission to mediate the conflict were killed. In response, military forces raided Okuama, destroying homes and forcing residents to flee to a displacement camp in Ewu Kingdom. The detained leaders have remained in custody for over 113 days without trial, sparking public outrage.
On Tuesday, aggrieved youths and women in Okuama renewed a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the military. They demanded the release of detained leaders and the return of Pa Oghoroko’s corpse. Protesters threatened further action, 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,” protesters declared on Sunday.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Elder Ohwotake Otiero condemned the deaths and detention, stating, ““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?”
Human rights organizations have also joined the calls for justice. At a press conference marking International Human Rights Day, activists highlighted the violation of constitutional rights.
Also, the Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group condemned the military’s actions, describing them as a gross violation of human rights and the dignity of Okuama residents.
“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 urged international human rights organizations to intervene and called for an unbiased investigation into both the killing of soldiers and the subsequent military reprisals.
“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.
