The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has ordered a detailed investigation into the deaths of two prominent leaders from the Okuama community, Pa James Oghoroko and Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, while they were held in military custody.
Oghoroko, the President-General of Okuama, and 81-year-old Okugbaye, the community’s treasurer, reportedly passed away just six days apart after being detained. Their deaths have sparked concerns and raised serious questions about the conditions of their detention.
The two leaders, along with four other individuals — Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka — were arrested during a military operation carried out between August 18 and 20, 2024.
This operation followed the tragic killing of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024, during a peacekeeping mission aimed at resolving a conflict between Okuama and its neighboring Okoloba community.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, addressed the issue publicly for the first time. He stated that General Musa had instructed the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division to investigate the deaths and submit their findings by Monday.
“Immediately, the CDS directed an investigation to be conducted by the 6 Division. Any moment from now, we expect the findings on whether the claims are true or not. For now, these remain allegations,” Gusau said during the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee’s end-of-year briefing.
He assured that the military is determined to uncover the truth, with a report expected soon.
