Professor Arthur Ekpekpo

Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS) has reacted to the abduction of  Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, a respected academic of Delta State University and President of Ewu Community Development Union, by a team of military officers who have not relented in the pursuit of their imaginary enemies in Urhobo land. That was on 18 August 2024. The group demanded that the Army should release him immediately.

In a press statement, Dr. John Uwa, Secretary URS, wrote: “You would recall that Professor Ekpekpo was one of the elders of the Okuama Community declared WANTED by the Nigerian Army in the course of its invasion of Ukuama Community in Delta State along with the revered Monarch of Ewu Community. The latter was subjected to the most inhuman and indignity ever accorded a Traditional Ruler in Nigeria until the clarion call of all led to his eventual release by the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army having wreaked havoc in the destruction of Okuama Community later admitted that it had identified the perpetrators of the dastardly killing of 17 Military Officers in the Forcardos River, near Okuama. The Military Panel set up by the Army to provide details of its finding has gone into oblivion and no report has been presented to the Nigerian public on the issue.”

Professor Arthur Ekpekpo top and Nigerian soldiers

In a bid to enforce their fundamental human rights, Professor Ekpokpo, members and residents of the Okuama community affected by the punitive destruction and punishment of the Okuama Community and people instituted several suits at the Federal High court, Warri, Delta State viz:

• Suit No FHC/WR/CS/37/2024 Between the Registered Trustees of Citizen Rights of Nig v The President FRN & ors
• Suit No FHC/WR/CS/41/2024 Between Victor Akemor & Ors v The Nigerian Army & Ors
• Suit No. No FHC/WR/CS/42/2024 Betwe/en Prof. Ekpokpo & Ors v The federal government of Nigeria & Ors.

The Nigerian Army, as Uwa put it, is yet to respond to the allegations and claims in these suits. He added that the People of Okuama Community have been consigned to a Displaced Peoples Camp at Ewu where they live on the charity of well-meaning members of the public. The Federal Government has yet to roll out any plan for the re-development of the Okuama community.

“The Urhobo Renaissance Society therefore writes to express its deep concern and displeasure over the brazen and unlawful desecration of the traditional and intellectual spaces in the Okuama community. First, with the arrest, detention and subsequent release of His Royal Majesty, the King of Ewu Kingdom; and now, the arrest and detention of Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, a respected academic of Delta State University, by military/security personnel on 18^th August 2024 at Sapele, Delta State; after being declared wanted over the Okuama affair, he is now kept incommunicado without being brought before a court of appropriate jurisdiction. This further violates Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo’s fundamental human rights,” Uwa wrote.

He continued: “As a responsible organisation, the URS has repeatedly called for a thorough investigation into the gruesome murder of the 17 military officers at the Forcados River, near Okuama, by persons or interest already identified by the Nigerian Army. The perpetrators must be brought to justice. We were pleased when it was reported that the military was on the trail of a certain Amagbein from Igbomotoru, Bayelsa State, in connection with the killing of the gallant officers. Until this day, nothing has been said about that trail. To that extent, we find it disturbing that the military which is unable to track down and prosecute a confirmed militant, has gone for a soft target—a respected Professor of Delta State University, simply because he is an illustrious son and President of the Okuama community. The Okuama people are scattered with some in the IDP camp, still recovering from the unjust destruction of their community by the military.

Therefore, we the Urhobo Renaissance Society demand:

1. The immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo or that he be charged to court.
2. That the Report of the Military Investigation Panel on the Okuama incident be released.
3. That the Government ensure that those responsible are held accountable,
4. That the re-development of Okuama Community be set in motion and its people returned to their ancestral lands.

While we remain a responsible and law-abiding organization, we call on the federal government to act responsibly by respecting the Constitution of the land.”