CDS Orders Probe Into ‘Death’ of Okuama Community Leaders in Army Detention
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the reported deaths of two Okuama community leaders, Pa James Oghoroko and Dennis Okugbaye, while in Army custody.
Oghoroko, the President-General of the Okuama community, and 81-year-old Okugbaye, the community’s Treasurer, are said to have died six days apart during their detention.
The two, along with four other community members—Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka—were arrested during a military operation carried out between August 18 and 20, 2024. The operation followed the tragic killing of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024, during a peace mission aimed at resolving a dispute between Okuama and the neighboring Okoloba community in Delta State.
Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, confirmed the order for an investigation during the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee’s end-of-year briefing. The investigation is being conducted by the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, and a report is expected shortly.
Gusau stated, “Immediately, the CDS directed an investigation to be conducted by the 6th Division. Any moment from now, we expect the findings on whether the claims are true or not. For now, these remain allegations.” He assured the public of the military’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
The investigation is crucial to determining the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the community leaders, as their families and the public await further details.
