Following the death of Pa James Oghoroko, the President-General of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, the community staged a peaceful protest on Sunday, demanding the immediate release of their detained leaders.
The protesters issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government and the Nigerian Army, warning of drastic actions, including blocking the River Niger, should their demands not be met.
The late Oghoroko, along with Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Okugbaye, Dennis Malaka, Madam Mabel, and another individual, were arrested between August 18 and 20, 2024.
Since their arrest, they have allegedly been held without trial at undisclosed locations.
Addressing the protesters, Elder Ohwotake Otiero, expressed deep grief over the news of Oghoroko’s death, allegedly while under military detention.
“We are mourning because of the news that our president general is dead in military detention. We hope it is a rumour, but if it is true, the government should brace for consequences. We will not accept being treated as outsiders in our own country.
“We demand the immediate release of his corpse and those still detained. If our demands are not met within seven days, we will take matters into our own hands. We will block this river and let the soldiers and President Tinubu come to kill us all,” he declared.
Maria Adams, a woman leader, lamented the treatment of Okuama residents, questioning the rationale behind the arrests and alleged death of their community leader.
“Our president general was innocent. He was arrested without cause, and now we hear he is dead. What crime has Okuama committed to deserve this treatment? We want our leaders released immediately. Enough is enough!” she said.
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Another woman leader, Evuarherhe Joseph, accused the federal government and the Nigerian Army of acting unlawfully and marginalizing their community.
“The Nigerian Army has treated us as if we are not Nigerians. Now, they have killed our president general and detained our leaders without trial. We demand their release within seven days, or we will block the river and make our voices heard,” she said.
Another community leader, Jacob Akemor, condemned the alleged impunity of the Nigerian Army, describing their actions as unlawful.
“Is the Nigerian Army above the law? How can they arrest people without charging them to court? Now our president general is dead, and others are reportedly very ill. The government must act within seven days to release all detained persons and prevent further unrest,” he said.
Roseline Okumagba, another protester, added her voice, saying: “This is a dark time for Okuama. Our president general has been killed, and others are detained unjustly. The government must act now to prevent further crisis.”
The Okuama community, which was reportedly razed earlier this year, says they have endured enough suffering.
With their president general dead and other leaders detained, the protesters have vowed not to back down until justice is served.
As the seven-day ultimatum looms, tension is high, with the community insisting on the immediate release of all detained leaders and an end to what they described as oppressive treatment by the authorities.
