Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has ordered an investigation into the contentious deaths of two Okuama community leaders, Pa James Oghoroko and Pa Denis Okugbaye, who died while in military custody.
This announcement was made by Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, during the Strategic Communications Interagency Committee’s End-of-Year Briefing organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) today 16/12/24in Abuja.
A reporter recently revealed that Pa James Oghoroko, President-General of the Okuama community, and Mr. Denis Okugbaye, the 81-year-old community treasurer, died under alleged torture while in the custody of the Nigerian Army, with their deaths occurring six days apart.
The two leaders, along with four other Okuama residents — Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka — were arrested in August.
Their arrest came in the aftermath of an incident on March 14, where 17 military personnel were killed in Okuama during a mission tied to a conflict with the neighboring Okoloba community.
Brig.-Gen. Gusau disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has directed the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and provide a report by Monday, December 16.
“Reports surfaced over the weekend claiming that individuals detained in connection with the Okuama incident had died while in custody,” Gusau said.
“In response, the CDS promptly instructed the 6 Division to launch an investigation, which is expected to commence soon. The investigation will confirm the accuracy of these claims, which, for now, remain unverified.
“Our priority is to uncover the truth, and we expect to have more detailed information by tomorrow,” he added.
