In the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area in Delta State, aggrieved youths and women have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and military authorities, demanding the immediate release of all detained community leaders.
They also called for the return of the body of Pa James Oghoroko, the community’s late President-General, who died while in military detention last week.
The protesters warned that they would block the River Niger if their demands were not met by the deadline.
The unrest in Okuama began after 17 soldiers were killed in March while on a peace mission to mediate between the Okuama and Okoloba communities.
In retaliation, the military raided the town, leaving it in ruins and forcing residents to flee, seeking refuge at an internally displaced persons camp in Ewu Kingdom, supported by the Delta State government.
After President Bola Tinubu intervened, the troops were withdrawn.
Between August 18 and 20, 2024, the military arrested several community leaders, including Pa Oghoroko, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Okugbaye, Dennis Malaka, Madam Mabel, and another individual. They remained in military detention until Pa Oghoroko’s death last week.
During a peaceful protest on Sunday, residents expressed their frustration, threatening to take matters into their own hands if the detained leaders were not released.
“After the seven days, this river will be blocked, let the soldiers and Tinubu come and kill us so that we know that Okuama is wiped out entirely,” they declared.
Elder Ohwotake Otiero, representing the protesters, demanded the immediate release of the detained leaders and the return of Pa Oghoroko’s body, stressing that the community had been pushed to the brink.
“Why should our P-G be killed through torture?” Otiero asked.
Another community leader, Jacob Akemor, criticized the Nigerian Army’s actions, questioning their legal authority.
“Is the Nigerian Army above the law? How can you abduct people without taking them to court? Is that the Nigerian law?” he inquired. He further urged the government to act quickly to prevent further unrest. “Within seven days, we want all of them to be released. We have suffered enough and the government should act to avert unrest,” he said.
Maria Adams, a woman leader, asked President Tinubu to clarify the treatment of the Okuama people, wondering what crime the community had committed to warrant such treatment.
“We want President Tinubu to tell us if we are still Nigerians. What is Okuama’s crime to warrant this treatment?” she questioned.
The Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group condemned the detention and death of Pa Oghoroko, calling on international human rights organizations to pressure the Nigerian government to respect the rights of the Okuama people.
The group described the incident as a severe violation of human rights, demanding a full investigation into Pa Oghoroko’s death and accountability for those responsible.
In a joint statement, the group called on the federal government to address the root causes of the conflict in Okuama and to work toward a peaceful resolution.
