Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy President of the Senate in the 9th Assembly, has demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the reported death of Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko, the President General of the Okuama Development Association, while in military custody. Oghoroko was detained by the Army in August 2024, alongside five other community leaders from Okuama.
Omo-Agege, who represented the Delta Central Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023, condemned the military’s handling of the matter, highlighting the illegality of arresting and detaining civilians without trial in a civil court. He expressed concern over the potential torture of Oghoroko, which he believes led to his death, and emphasized the need for an independent investigation to clear any misconceptions surrounding the incident.
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“Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko and the others are civilians, not soldiers. They should have been tried in a civil court, not held in military detention. This tragic event has cast a shadow over democratic governance in Nigeria,” Omo-Agege said. “A transparent investigation is essential to address public concerns and ensure justice for all parties involved.”
In a statement issued by his media adviser, Sunny Areh, Omo-Agege acknowledged the unfortunate loss of military personnel in Okuama but stressed the importance of following due process in handling such incidents. He called on the military to respect the legal system and urged the immediate release of the five remaining Okuama community leaders still in military custody.
Omo-Agege extended his condolences to the family of Pa Oghoroko and reiterated his sympathy to the military over the killing of 17 soldiers by unidentified gunmen. However, he emphasized that the situation should be deescalated, urging the use of democratic institutions to seek justice and restore peace to the region.
