Controversy has continued to trail the killing of Ugochukwu Oghenekaro, who was reportedly shot during a visit to a friend along with two others on Sunday at the Delta Marine Logistics and Technical (DMLT) Estate, Otokutu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
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While the Nigerian Army claimed that a soldier acted in self-defence during a confrontation with a suspected criminal, the family of the deceased has rejected the explanation, accusing the military of twisting facts, spreading falsehoods, and attempting to evade accountability for what they described as an unjustified killing.
The family also expressed shock that the Nigerian Army could “turn around to label them as criminals.”
In a statement, the acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 63 Brigade Asaba, Capt. Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, said:
“The Headquarters, 63 Brigade, wishes to state that a tense confrontation between a soldier and a suspected criminal occurred at the Delta Marine Logistics and Technical (DMLT) Estate in Warri, Delta State, on October 13, 2025.
The fracas resulted in the death of the suspect, who engaged the soldier on duty in a scuffle, prompting the soldier to act in self-defence. The incident occurred when the soldier, who was on duty at the DMLT Estate gate, halted a group of individuals attempting to force entry into the premises without submitting to security checks.
When questioned, the group allegedly became aggressive and violent. The altercation escalated into a physical struggle, during which the soldier used armed combat skills and injured one of the individuals, who was later confirmed dead at the hospital. The Otu-Jeremi Police Division was immediately notified for further action.”
Reacting to the statement, a close relative of the deceased, Peace Idirima, who was reportedly in the same vehicle during the incident, strongly refuted the Army’s version of events.
He said:
“I am shocked that the Nigerian Army would turn around and label us criminals. On Monday, we were invited to the barracks with representatives of the estate management. Six of us went, along with three from the estate. They begged us to accept a peaceful settlement and not escalate the matter. Now, they’ve turned around to say we tried to force entry and attacked a soldier. Where is the evidence?
We were accompanying Oghenekaro to meet a caterer he had paid ₦500,000 to prepare a cake and decorations for his wife’s upcoming birthday when the tragedy occurred. We were unarmed and posed no threat. Oghenekaro was unjustly shot by a soldier with a history of violent behaviour, according to some residents of the estate.
When we got to the barracks, they seized our phones to stop us from recording. We told them we couldn’t decide on any settlement without consulting the family. Now, the same people who begged for peace are calling us criminals.”
He added that the family had withdrawn cooperation from the ongoing police investigation and was preparing to take legal action.
“A lawyer has already been engaged, and we are gathering documentation — including the autopsy report, photographs, audio recordings, and the death certificate — to support our case. We won’t be silenced. Instead of mourning with us, they’re slandering an innocent man. We are done with talks of settlement. Let the courts decide who is telling the truth,” he said.
Meanwhile, rights activist Israel Joe condemned the Nigerian Army’s statement, accusing the military of shielding the soldier, identified as Sefiu.
He vowed to write a protest letter to the Minister of Defence and to lead a peaceful protest, during which the corpse of the deceased would be handed over to the Nigerian Army.
“Full-blown military brutality has happened to Mr. Oghenekaro, and we will stop at nothing to ensure justice is done,” Joe said.
“Your statement by 63 Brigade Asaba shamelessly defends a murderer who killed an unarmed man in cold blood. The deceased had no criminal record or history of arrest. How then did you conclude he was a criminal?
None of his brothers, who were eyewitnesses, were invited during your so-called investigation. Is it possible for five brothers in the same car to be on a criminal mission? Was stabbing an innocent person part of your ‘combat skills’?
If he was a criminal, why did your soldier flee the scene after stabbing him? This entire incident exposes the rot and lack of accountability within our system,” he added.
The activist called on civil society groups and human rights advocates to join in demanding justice for the deceased.
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