Okuama Community Treasurer Dies in Custody Despite Family Paying Military for Transport
Tragedy struck the Okuama community in Delta State as 81-year-old Pa Dennis Okugbaye, the community’s treasurer, died in military custody after his family paid ₦140,000 requested by the military for his transportation to Asaba for medical care.
Pa Okugbaye, who had been in detention since August 2024, fell gravely ill while being held at a military facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The family was contacted and told to provide money for fuel to transport him to Asaba, Delta State, where they could take over his care. Hoping to save his life, they quickly raised the money and traveled to Asaba on December 9, waiting anxiously at the 63 Brigade military barracks for his arrival.
Sadly, after a day of waiting without any updates, the family was informed the next day that Pa Okugbaye had died during the journey. His death comes just weeks after the President-General of the community, Pa James Oghoroko, also died in military custody.
The two community leaders were among several Okuama residents arrested by the military in August following the killing of 17 soldiers in a dispute between the Okuama and Okoloba communities earlier in the year. Despite these arrests, no charges have been filed, and families have had little communication from the authorities.
The grieving family expressed frustration that neither the military nor the Delta State government has reached out to explain the circumstances of Pa Okugbaye’s death. Efforts to get comments from Delta State officials, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his media team, have so far been unsuccessful.
Social critic Zik Gbemre has condemned the handling of the situation, accusing the state government of failing in its responsibility to protect citizens and hold the military accountable. He described the deaths of Pa Okugbaye and Pa Oghoroko as preventable tragedies.
The Okuama community continues to mourn the loss of its leaders, with growing concerns for others still in detention under uncertain conditions.
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