Rita Daniels
Residents of Okuama community in Delta State are urgently calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the prolonged detention of their leaders, who have been held without trial for a year. The detainees were arrested following the tragic killing of 17 military personnel on a peacekeeping mission in the area on March 14, 2024.
During a press conference on Monday, Comrade Edewor Egedegbe, the Human Rights Advocate and Chairman of Citizens Right Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI), expressed grave concerns over what the villagers labeled a “flagrant violation” of their leaders' fundamental rights by the Nigerian Army. The six detained leaders include Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr. James Oghoroko (now deceased), Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Mr. Dennis Amalaka, and Mrs. Mabel Owhemu.
The villagers reported that the arrests took place between August 18 and 19, 2024, and since then, the detainees have been denied access to medical care, legal representation, and even visits from family members. In a poignant statement, the community emphasized that the continued detention of their leaders undermines Nigeria’s democracy and contravenes the rule of law.
The tragic death of Pa. James Oghoroko while in custody has intensified fears regarding the health and safety of the remaining detainees. The community criticized the military's approach to investigating the Okuama killings outside the purview of Nigeria's criminal justice system, arguing that such actions violate democratic principles.
In their appeal to President Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Senator Ede Dafinone, the villagers insisted that there is no substantial evidence justifying the ongoing detention of their leaders. They have also demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the killings of the 17 soldiers, asserting that justice must be served for both the slain servicemen and the wrongfully detained villagers.
