Okuama community leader died in military detention, tension rises

Residents of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, have taken to the streets in protest, following the reported death of their President General, Pa James Oghoroko, allegedly in military custody.

The late leader was reportedly held at a military facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The community expressed outrage over Oghoroko’s death and the continued detention of five other community leaders without trial, demanding their immediate release. Protesters issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army, threatening to block the River Niger if their demands are not met.

Speaking to journalists, Elder Ohwotake Otiero, a protest leader, voiced the community’s anger and grief. “We are mourning the alleged death of our PG, and we want answers. If this is true, we demand his remains and the release of those still in detention,” Otiero stated, warning of potential escalation if their pleas are ignored.

The protesters accused the Nigerian Army of unlawful arrests, citing the detention of Oghoroko alongside other leaders, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Okugbaye, Dennis Malaka, and Madam Mabel, since August 2024.

Community women leaders also expressed their discontent. Maria Adams, a prominent voice, lamented: “Our leader was innocent. Now he’s dead, and others remain detained without trial. Are we no longer Nigerians? What crime has Okuama committed to deserve this?”

Hon. Jacob Akemor, another community leader, criticized the military’s actions as a violation of the rule of law. “No court has convicted these individuals, yet they have been held and tortured. The government must intervene to prevent further unrest,” he said.

The Okuama community has been a site of previous unrest, with accusations of military operations destroying properties in the area. Residents now fear a return to violence if their demands are not addressed promptly.

The Nigerian Army and Federal Government are yet to release an official statement addressing the allegations and demands of the protesters.