Residents of Okuama community in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step in and secure the release of their leaders who have spent one year in military custody without trial.
The leaders were arrested in August 2024 following the killing of 17 Nigerian soldiers on March 14, 2024, during what the army described as a peace mission to the community.
At a press conference held in Okuama on Monday, the villagers, led by Comrade Edewor Egedegbe — a human rights advocate and Chairman of Citizens Right Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI) — said the prolonged detention of their leaders violated their fundamental human rights.
Those detained include:
- Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo
- Chief Belvis Adogbo
- Mr. Dennis Okugbaye
- Mr. Dennis Amalaka
- Mrs. Mabel Owhemu
- Mr. James Oghoroko (who has since died in custody).
According to the community, the six were arrested between August 18 and 19, 2024, and since then, they have been denied access to lawyers, doctors, and their families.
“The continued incarceration of our leaders without trial mocks Nigeria’s democracy and ridicules the rule of law,” the community declared. “The Nigerian Army has continued to act in gross disregard of constitutional provisions that guarantee human dignity and the right to a fair hearing.”
The death of Pa. James Oghoroko in custody has made villagers more worried about the health and safety of the others. They also condemned the military’s decision to investigate the Okuama killings outside the country’s normal justice system, describing it as “undemocratic.”
The residents appealed to President Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Senator Ede Dafinone to intervene, insisting that the army has no solid evidence to justify the ongoing detention. They demanded a transparent investigation that will ensure justice for both the slain soldiers and the detained villagers.
How It All Started
On March 14, 2024, 17 soldiers were ambushed and killed after leaving Okuama. The soldiers were said to be mediating a land dispute between Okuama (Urhobo) and the neighboring Okoloba (Ijaw) community.
The military responded with a heavy attack on Okuama that lasted for a week. Houses, schools, and public facilities were destroyed, leaving the entire community in ruins. The only building left standing was the historic Anglican Church founded by Bishop Agori Iwe, which now shelters displaced survivors.
Villagers say many civilians died during the attack, including elderly people and children. Others perished in the forest while hiding, due to hunger and snake bites.
Although the federal government honored the soldiers with a state funeral, survivors of Okuama complain that no real progress has been made in finding out who ordered the mission or why soldiers — instead of the police — were sent to handle a civil land dispute.
Community Leaders Declared Wanted
After the incident, the military declared several leaders of Okuama wanted, including the King of Ewu Kingdom, HRM Clement Ikolo, and the President-General of Okuama, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo.
While King Ikolo was released after about a month, Ekpekpo and three others — Chief Belivis Adogho, Dennis Amalaka, and Mrs. Mabel Owhemu — are still in detention. Survivors allege that those in custody are being held in poor conditions, forced to sleep on bare floors and denied communication with their families.
