Kehinde Fajobi
Tensions have escalated in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, following the deaths of two key leaders, allegedly while in military detention.
Eighty-one-year-old Dennis Okugbaye, the community’s treasurer, died on Tuesday, barely six days after the President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, reportedly succumbed to similar conditions.
Both men had been detained alongside other community leaders by the military in connection with the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers during a peace mission.
The military had launched a retaliatory operation after the attack on its personnel, razing Okuama and displacing residents to a camp in Ewu Kingdom, provided by the Delta State government.
In August 2024, several Okuama leaders, including the late Oghoroko and Okugbaye, were arrested. Others in custody include Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka.
The deaths of their leaders have triggered fresh protests in Okuama.
On Tuesday, youths and women in the community extended a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the military, demanding the immediate release of all detainees and the return of Pa Oghoroko’s remains.
“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,” the protesters declared, emphasising their frustration and determination.
Elder Ohwotake Otiero, speaking for the demonstrators, expressed anger at the loss of their leaders.
“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?”
Attempts to obtain comments from the military authorities have so far been unsuccessful.
Civil society organisations and human rights groups have condemned the prolonged detention of Okuama leaders without trial.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Warri to mark International Human Rights Day, Pastor Edewor Egedegbe of Value Rebirth & Empower Initiative and Sir John Ebireri of Ewu Clan Development Forum decried the situation as a breach of fundamental human rights.
“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. Their detention breaches the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” the advocates stated.
The groups called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging him to facilitate the release of all detained Okuama leaders and institute an independent investigation into the deaths and the military’s actions against the community.
Similarly, the Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group criticised the military’s actions, describing them as a gross human rights violation.
“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 key members, including Mr. Okpare Theophilus Onojeghen and Chief Omafume Amurun.
The group also called for international intervention and an unbiased investigation into the deaths of the soldiers and the subsequent military reprisals.
“While we console the grieving families of the soldiers, we demand a holistic probe into the tragic incident,” the group added.
With the ultimatum approaching its deadline, the Okuama community remains on edge, vowing to take decisive action if their demands are not addressed.