CDS Takes Action On Deaths Of Okuama Community Leaders In Army Custody
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of two prominent leaders from Okuama community, Pa James Oghoroko and Dennis Okugbaye, while in military custody.
Oghoroko, the President-General of Okuama, and 81-year-old Okugbaye, the community’s treasurer, reportedly passed away six days apart following their detention by the Nigerian Army.
The two men, along with four others—Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka—were arrested during a military operation that took place between August 18 and 20, 2024.
Their arrests came in the aftermath of the tragic killing of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024, during a peace mission aimed at resolving a conflict between Okuama and the neighbouring Okoloba community.
For the first time, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, confirmed that Gen. Musa has instructed the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths and submit a report by Monday.
Speaking during the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee end-of-year briefing, Gusau said, “Regarding allegations of deaths in detention over the weekend, 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 6 Division. Any moment from now, we expect the findings on whether the claims are true or not. For now, these remain allegations.
“We are committed to uncovering the truth, and by tomorrow, we will have more details.”
