Residents of the Okuama community in Delta State’s Ughelli South Local Government Area, including women and youths, staged a peaceful protest on Sunday, condemning the alleged torture and death of their President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, while in the custody of the Nigerian Army.
The protesters, visibly angered by the incident, called on the Nigerian government and military authorities to release five detained community leaders and the body of Pa Oghoroko within seven days.
Failure to meet their demands, they warned, would force them to take drastic measures.
Pa Oghoroko, along with six others, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Okugbaye, Dennis Malaka, Madam Mabel, and another individual, was reportedly arrested between August 18 and 20, 2024.
They had remained in undisclosed military detention facilities, with Oghoroko allegedly succumbing to torture during his captivity.
Elder Ohwotake Otiero, who led the protest, demanded an immediate handover of Oghoroko’s remains and the release of the detained leaders, threatening that the community would take matters into their own hands if the ultimatum was ignored.
“Why should our President-General be killed through torture? We will not stand for this injustice,” he stated.
The protesters also vowed to block access to the River Niger if their demands were not met, accusing the government and the military of violating the rule of law.
“If they have evidence of wrongdoing, take them to court and let the law decide,” Otiero added.
Community leader Hon. Jacob Akemor decried what he termed the army’s disregard for due process, asking, “Is the Nigerian Army above the law?
“How can people be abducted without trial? Now our President-General is dead, and others are gravely ill. This must stop to prevent further unrest.”
Maria Adams, a women leader, expressed the community’s grief and frustration. “Our President-General was innocent. He was arrested and now he’s dead.
“We are in mourning, and we demand answers from President Tinubu. What crime has Okuama committed to warrant such treatment?”
The protesters insisted on urgent action, asserting that their community had endured enough oppression and was determined to resist further injustices.