The family of Pa Dennis Okugbaye, an 81-year-old leader from the Okuama community in Delta State, has accused Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of abandoning them during their time of grief.
Their cries of outrage come six days after Pa Okugbaye died in military custody, following the death of another Okuama leader, Pa James Oghoroko, under similar circumstances.
The Nigerian Army has also been silent about the deaths, which have sparked growing public anger and accusations of abuse of power.
Pa Okugbaye, who was the Treasurer of the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
This came just one week after Pa Oghoroko, the community’s President General, also died while in military detention.
The circumstances surrounding their deaths have added to the family’s anguish.
According to family members, Pa Okugbaye’s deteriorating health had been communicated to them during his time in detention.
A relative, who spoke anonymously out of fear, recounted the distressing experience.
“We were told our father was very sick, and we needed to send N140,000 for fuel to transport him from Port Harcourt to Asaba,” the family member revealed.
“We paid the money because we wanted to save him. We were told to meet them at 63 Bridge in Asaba, but when our sister got there, they kept delaying. She waited all day, only for us to hear on Tuesday that he had died on the road.”
The family’s grief turned into frustration when neither the military nor Governor Oborevwori reached out to them after the tragic incident.
“It is painful to be treated this way,” the family member said.
They expressed disappointment with the governor, who they described as the “father of the state.”
“Governor Oborevwori has not said a word about the deaths of two prominent community leaders. Why is he silent? Are we no longer citizens of this state?”
A Grim Timeline of Arrests and Deaths
The deaths of Pa Oghoroko and Pa Okugbaye are part of a troubling series of events involving prominent Okuama figures.
Both men were arrested in August 2024 by the Nigerian Army, along with other community leaders, including Professor Arthur Ekpekpo and Chief Belvis Adogbo.
The reasons for their arrests remain unclear, and no charges have been disclosed.
Human rights activists have raised concerns about the prolonged and seemingly arbitrary detention of the Okuama leaders.
Criticism Mounts Against Oborevwori
Social commentator Mr. Zik Gbemre has joined the growing chorus of voices condemning Governor Oborevwori’s perceived inaction.
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, Gbemre lambasted the governor for failing to address what he called a “gross abuse of power.”
“It is deeply shameful that as the Chief Security Officer of Delta State, Oborevwori has not taken steps to call the military to order,” Gbemre said.
“The deaths of two Okuama leaders in custody and the ongoing detention of others show the alarming breakdown of our institutions.”
Gbemre also accused key stakeholders in the state of turning a blind eye to the suffering of the Okuama community.
“Rather than stand up for the rights of the Okuama people, those in power have chosen silence. Their inaction is inciting and disgraceful,” he added.
