CDS Orders Investigation into Deaths of Okuama Community Leaders in Military Custody
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has directed an immediate probe into the reported deaths of two Okuama community leaders, Pa James Oghoroko and Dennis Okugbaye, while in military detention. According to sources from the community, Oghoroko, the President-General of Okuama, and Okugbaye, the 81-year-old treasurer, died six days apart after being held by the military. The two leaders, along with four others—Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka—were arrested during a military operation between August 18 and 20, 2024. This operation followed the killing of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024, during a peace mission to mediate a conflict between the Okuama and neighboring Okoloba communities. Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, confirmed the CDS’s directive, stating that the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division has been tasked with investigating the deaths and submitting a report by Monday. Speaking at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee’s end-of-year briefing, Gusau said, “There have been allegations over the weekend that individuals detained in connection with the Okuama incident died in custody. The Chief of Defence Staff immediately ordered an investigation by the 6th Division, and we are expecting the findings soon. For now, these are just allegations.” He assured the public that the results of the investigation would be disclosed once the report is submitted to the CDS.
