Tragedy has struck again in Okuama Community, Delta State, as 81-year-old Dennis Okugbaye, the community’s treasurer, died in military detention on Tuesday (yesterday, December 10) afternoon.
The incident came barely six days after the death of Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko, the community’s president general, who also died in military custody.
The Okuama leaders were arrested in August 2024 and have been held without trial.
The community had raised concerns about the failing health of the detainees, particularly Pa Okugbaye, and demanded their immediate release.
A secret military medical report dated December 6, 2024, recommended Okugbaye’s immediate release due to health issues and old age.
However, he died in detention without being released.
Son of the deceased, Pastor Akpos Okugbaye who broke the news of his father’s death to newsmen late Tuesday amidst tears, raised suspicions about how his father died.
He said that the military were aware of the failing health of his father but kept him detained despite doctors’ recommendation for his release to seek proper medical attention.
Dependable source told newsmen in Warri that the Okugbaye family sent about N401,000 between Monday and Tuesday for Okugbaye’s health care through a source who revealed his deteriorating health status at the Nigerian Army headquarters, 6 Division, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt.
The source who showed electronic transfer receipts of the money sent, hinted that the late Oghoroko also died in the same facility in Rivers State.
“There was a secret military medical report of the Late Okugbaye dated 6th December, 2024 signed on behalf of the Commandant which had recommended his immediate release from custody owing to health issues and old age,” the source confirmed.
The Late Okugbaye was arrested along with Oghoroko, Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu and Mr. Dennis Malaka between August 18 and 20, 2024 and had remained in military detentions since then.
The community leaders were arrested by the army following the March 14 massacre of some military personnel in the community by unknown assailants.
At the time of filing this report on Tuesday, there was serious tension in the riverine community, with angry youths threatening to block the River Niger access in the area.
The community had over the weekend given the federal government and the Nigerian Army a seven-day ultimatum to release the detainees or face dire consequences.
