Residents of Okuama community has once again cried out in what they feel is a total neglect of their plights since the unfortunate military reprisal incident that happened two years ago.
Located in a riverside community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state, the community, known for its lively and bubbling atmosphere, was thrown into chaos and destruction when security personnel invaded it, killed residents and detained several others in a revenge attack.
The genesis of the crisis began after some thugs killed 17 military personnel in March 2024 following a community conflict between Okuama and one of its neighbours. In retaliation, security officers stormed Okuama, destroyed every home, with the exception of the Anglican Church, where the soldiers sought refuge during their operation.
Since then, the community has been a different spectacle from what it used to be ; residents who owned houses prior to the incident now live in makeshift housing, and shanty tents are scattered around the area.
ENigeria Newspaper confirmed that last Wednesday, residents of the community protested against the total neglect of the community by the government. They also warned that they would boycott the polls if their detained resident-leaders are not released or charged to court immediately.
Two days ago, Frank Tietie, an attorney, human rights activist, and executive director of Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) Abuja, called for the release of unlawful detained community leaders of Okuama.
“I am compelled, to call urgent national attention to the continued detention of leaders and members of the Okuama community in Delta State without charge or trial since 2024″, he said in a statement.
“This situation raises grave constitutional and moral concerns for a country that prides itself on adherence to the rule of law. At my last check, the following persons have been subjected to prolonged detention without formal charges: Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Professor of Physics at Delta State University and President-General, Ewu Development Union; Chief Belvis Adogbo; Dennis Amalaka and Mabel Owhemu. James Achovwuko Oghoroko, was reported to have died in military custody while Pa Dennis Okugbaye, Treasurer of Okuama Community was reported to be critically ill and later released on health grounds.
“The continued detention of these individuals without arraignment before a competent court of law constitutes a flagrant violation of their constitutional right to personal liberty and fair hearing as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I therefore call on: The President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, The Nigerian Military Authorities, The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Traditional rulers and influential leaders in the Niger Delta region to urgently intervene to ensure that: The detainees are immediately released, or at the very least, they are promptly charged before a court of competent jurisdiction and tried in accordance with the law. Justice delayed, in this circumstance, is not merely justice denied but it is justice subverted.”
Residents of the community have also expressed their grieving concerns over their plight after the ruins. In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, several residents reveal that they have not got a proper home to sleep since two years ago.
“Since 14th March, 2024 that Okuama was attacked and destroyed, we ran into the bush where we suffered like animals, we are innocent of what happened. Even the Chief of Defence Staff that time, Gen. Christopher Musa in an interview said that the soldiers were killed by bunkerers and Amagbein. So why do we have to suffer for what oil bunkerers did, we don’t have oil or pipelines passing through here.
“Our homes were completely destroyed and our leaders were arrested. We want the government to look into this matter and release our people.”, said former Woman Leader Queen Oghenehwosa.
Another native, Mrs. Maria Adam, lamented last Tuesday’s storm that caused the death of her child. According to her, “as a result of last Tuesday night’s storm, a tree fell upon me and my five children, one of them died thereafter while the others have been taken to nearby villages. The situation is so bad, there is no medicine store here. I lost that child because of lack of medicare.
The suffering is too much, our children have been out of school, We don’t have any house that can be called a house, we stay in the tent where mosquitoes feast on us, no water to drink, our only source of water is the stream. Where are the Urhobo great men, where are the politicians? The Government should plan and rebuild our destroyed homes, restore our schools so that our children can start school again”
Mr Joseph Oberiko, said “we are surprised that our people have been arrested for almost two years without trial, one of them died in detention and the corpse we cannot see. We learnt that a Federal High Court in Warri gave an order that the detained leaders should be brought to court but the army has refused to obey the order of the court. We are tired, we want the government to end this oppression against Okuama.”
Four months ago, however, Delta State commissioned a newly completed cluster of housing units and essential infrastructure in the Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, an important milestone in the state’s post-crisis recovery programme.
It remains to be seen how this construction can benefit displaced residents of the community.
