The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has ordered an immediate investigation into the reported deaths of two Okuama community leaders, Pa James Oghoroko and Dennis Okugbaye, while in military custody.
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According to community sources, Mr. Oghoroko, the President-General of the Okuama community, and 81-year-old Mr. Okugbaye, the community’s treasurer, died six days apart after being detained by the military.
The two leaders, along with four others — Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka — were arrested during a military operation between August 18 and 20, 2024. This operation followed the killing of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024, during a peace mission to mediate a dispute between Okuama and the neighboring Okoloba community.
Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, confirmed the directive, stating that the CDS has tasked the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division with investigating the allegations and submitting a report by Monday.
During the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee end-of-year briefing, Gusau said, “There have been allegations over the weekend that individuals detained in connection with the Okuama incident died in custody. The Chief of Defence Staff immediately ordered an investigation by the 6th Division, and we are expecting the findings shortly. For now, these remain allegations.”
He assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be made available once the report is submitted to the CDS.
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