The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has ordered a full investigation into the deaths of two prominent community leaders from Okuama, Pa James Oghoroko and Dennis Okugbaye, who reportedly died in Army custody.
The deaths have raised serious concerns over the treatment of individuals held in military detention.
Oghoroko, the President-General of the Okuama community, and Okugbaye, the community’s 81-year-old treasurer, were both detained by the military during an operation.
The two men died just six days apart, and their deaths are now at the center of a military probe.
The community leaders were among six individuals arrested by the Army during a military operation between August 18 and 20, 2024.
The operation was carried out in response to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama on March 14, 2024, during a peace mission aimed at resolving a dispute between Okuama and the neighboring Okoloba community.
The arrests of Oghoroko, Okugbaye, and four others — Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka — were linked to the deaths of the soldiers.
The tragic deaths have now cast a shadow over the military operation and the treatment of those detained.
For the first time since the incident, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, addressed the public about the deaths, confirming that Gen. Musa had ordered an investigation.
“The Chief of Defence Staff has directed that the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding the deaths,” Brig. Gen. Gusau said during a Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee end-of-year briefing.
He added that the military was committed to uncovering the truth behind the deaths of the two community leaders.
“Headlines surfaced suggesting that individuals detained in connection with the Okuama incident had died. 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,” Gusau stated.
He also emphasized that, while the deaths were still considered allegations, the military was focused on verifying the claims.
“For now, these remain allegations, and we are working diligently to get to the bottom of the matter,” he said.
The news of the deaths has shocked the Okuama community and sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the actions of the Nigerian Army during the detention.
While details about the deaths remain scarce, the involvement of such high-ranking military officials in the investigation signals the seriousness with which the military is taking the matter.
“We are committed to uncovering the truth, and by tomorrow, we will have more details,” Gusau promised.
The deaths of Pa Oghoroko and Okugbaye have raised larger questions about the treatment of detainees and the need for accountability within the Nigerian military.
The investigation into the deaths is set to continue, and more details are expected soon.
The families of the deceased and the people of Okuama are demanding answers and justice for their lost leaders.
Many in Okuama view the deaths as an abuse of power and are calling for transparency in the investigation.
The two men were highly regarded in their community, and their deaths have left the people of Okuama in shock and grief.
The incident has brought the spotlight on the conduct of the military, especially in relation to civilian detentions.
As the investigation progresses, the military’s response will be closely watched by both local and international observers.
The outcome of the probe could have significant implications for the Nigerian Army’s relationship with the people of Okuama and other communities across the country.
