The family of Pa Dennis Okugbaye, the 81-year-old treasurer of the Okuama community in Delta State, has revealed the circumstances surrounding his death after he passed away in military detention on December 10, 2024. Despite the passing of six days, neither the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, nor military authorities have issued a statement regarding the incident.
Family sources, speaking anonymously for security reasons, explained that they were asked to pay N140,000 for fuel to transport Pa Okugbaye, who was ill, from Port Harcourt to Asaba. They were informed by military officers that their father was sick and needed to be transported to 63 Brigade in Asaba, where they would then take him to the hospital. The family sent the money, and they were told to meet Pa Okugbaye in Asaba on December 9, 2024.
“We were told that our father is very sick and we should send N140,000 to buy fuel to transport him to Asaba so that we (the family) can take him to the hospital,” the family sources shared. They further explained that on December 9, they arrived in Asaba, with the daughter designated to receive him. However, by 5 pm, there was still no update, and after contacting their leaders and Governor Oborevwori, they returned home. It was not until December 10 that the family was informed that Pa Okugbaye had died while being transported.
“We went back home, it was on Tuesday when we were calling to know the next step that we were told that our father died on the road when they were about to come,” the sources said. Despite the tragic news, neither the military authorities nor the governor had contacted the family about the incident.
Pa Okugbaye’s death follows the passing of another Okuama community leader, Pa James Oghoroko, who also died while in military detention. These deaths occurred after the Okuama and Okoloba communities were embroiled in a conflict that led to the killing of 17 soldiers during a peace mission on March 14, 2024. Following the incident, military forces arrested several Okuama leaders, including Pa Oghoroko and Pa Okugbaye, who were detained without trial from August 18 to 20, 2024.
Efforts to reach Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, the Commissioner for Information, and Mr. Festus Ahon, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
Social critic Mr. Zik Gbemre condemned the governor’s lack of action, highlighting the growing concerns over the state’s security issues. “Oborevwori shying away from his duty to call the army to order in gross abuse of power in the state is very bad and shameful as the chief security officer of the state,” Gbemre stated. He further described the situation in Delta as “appalling, very shameful and inciting,” as two leaders of the Okuama community had died in military custody, and the remaining four detainees faced uncertain fates.
The families and the community are calling for justice and accountability, as they feel neglected by both the state authorities and military officials. The situation has raised alarm over the lack of transparency and care in the handling of military detentions and the treatment of civilians.
