CDS orders investigation into deaths of Okuama leaders in military custody

General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has ordered for a thorough investigation into the deaths of two Okuama community leaders, Pa James Oghoroko, President-General of the Okuama community, and 81-year-old Dennis Okugbaye, the community’s Treasurer, while in military detention.

Their deaths occurred six days apart after the duo, along with four others, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka were detained during a military operation conducted between August 18 and 20, 2024.

The arrests followed the killing of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024, during a peace mission to mediate a dispute between Okuama and the neighboring Okoloba community in Delta State.

Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, confirmed during an end-of-year briefing that General Musa has directed the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and present a report by Monday.

During a question and answer session, Brig-Gen. Gusau said, “Regarding allegations of deaths in detention over the weekend, headlines surfaced suggesting that individuals detained in connection with the Okuama incident had died.

“Immediately, the CDS directed an investigation to be conducted by the 6 Division. Any moment from now, we expect the findings on whether the claims are true or not. For now, these remain allegations.

“We are committed to uncovering the truth, and by tomorrow, we will have more details”.

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