CDS Orders Probe Into Alleged Deaths Of Okuama Community Leaders

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged 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, reportedly died six days apart after being detained by the military.

The duo, along with four others — Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs Mabel Owhemu, and Mr Dennis Malaka — were arrested during a military operation conducted between August 18 and 20, 2024.

The arrests followed the killing of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024, during a peace mission aimed at resolving a dispute between Okuama and the neighbouring Okoloba community.

The director of defence information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Thursday during the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee end-of-year briefing, stated that the chief of defence staff had directed the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army to investigate the allegations and submit a report by Monday.

During the question and answer session, 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. From now on, 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.”