The Nigerian Army has yet to address the tragic deaths of two community leaders from Okuama, a town in Delta State. Pa James Oghoroko, the President-General of the community, and 81-year-old treasurer, Dennis Okugbaye, both died in military custody within just six days of each other.
The two men were arrested during a military operation between August 18 and 20, 2024, along with four others. Their detention came after a deadly incident in March, when 17 soldiers were killed while trying to mediate a conflict between Okuama and the neighboring Okoloba community.
The deaths of Oghoroko and Okugbaye have stirred deep anger and sorrow within the Okuama community. Local youths and women have issued a seven-day ultimatum for the Nigerian Army and Federal Government to release the detained leaders and return Oghoroko’s body. The community is accusing the military of violating their leaders’ rights and holding them accountable for the deaths.
Attempts to get an official response from the military have been unsuccessful. Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, referred inquiries to the Army Headquarters. However, calls to the Army’s public relations chief, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, have gone unanswered.
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