File photo. Nigerian soldiers.

The Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS) has condemned the Death of Okuama President-General and the Treasurer in military custody, and the unlawful detention of Okuama community leaders and senior citizens by the Nigerian Military.

In a press statement, signed by Dr John Uwa, Secretary URS, the group therefore, demanded an immediate release of all the Okuama detainees for a fair hearing and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Okuama PG, Pa James Oghoroko and the Treasure, 81-year-old Pa Dennis Okugbaye; who were allegedly tortured and dehumanized before they took their last breath in military custody. “This egregious act is a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law; and we call on all lovers of justice, equity and fairness to stand with the Urhobo nation in our call for justice and fairness.”

Below is the full press statement from URS

URHOBO RENAISSANCE SOCIETY (URS)

(EGBA R’OKUGBE)

OKUAMA TRAGEDY: URHOBO RENAISSANCE SOCIETY (URS) CONDEMNS THE UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF OKUAMA COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE SUBSEQUENT ‘KILLING’ OF ITS PRESIDENT-GENERAL AND TREASURER IN MILITARY CUSTODY

The Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS) condemns the Death of Okuama President-General and the Treasurer in military custody, the unlawful detention of Okuama community leaders and senior citizens by the Nigerian Military, and therefore, demands an immediate release of all the Okuama detainees for fair hearing and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Okuama PG, Pa James Oghoroko and the Treasure, 81 years old Pa Dennis Okugbaye; who were allegedly tortured and dehumanized before they took their last breath in military custody. This egregious act is a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law; and we call on all lovers of justice, equity and fairness to stand with the Urhobo nation in our call for justice and fairness.

As a responsible organization, we had called on the Nigerian Military and the Nigerian Government, in a publication dated 21st August 2024, for fairness and the release of arrested Okuama leaders; as if we knew the tragic fate awaiting both senior citizens—Pa James Oghoroko and Pa Dennis Okugbaye; and now, the other leaders still alive, but awaiting death without trial, in military custody. Sadly, on the 5th of December, 2024, we awoke to the news that Pa Jame Oghoroko had tragically lost his life while in military custody; and while we were still mourning and living in trepidation of the safety of other Okuama leaders in military custody, we received, with rude shock, the death of Pa Dennis Okugbaye. These devastating events have left the entire Urhobo nation in shock and grief. Our pain has been compounded by the continued detention of the other community leaders and senior citizens, who were unlawfully arrested and detained by the military for about five months now; continuous detention that is yielding suspicion that the military is systematically conducting reprisal killings without trial in a legal court of law. How many more will the military kill in detention before justice is served? Who will fight for the defenceless and stand for the weak?

Therefore, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all Okuama senior citizens still in military custody. Their detention is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights, including the right to liberty, freedom from arbitrary detention, and the right to a fair trial. Most importantly, we call on the Federal Government and all international organizations—Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, Global Rights, Outright Action International, Equity Now and all civil societies in Nigeria to partner with us in demanding justice for the death of the two senior citizens—Pa James Oghoroko and Pa Dennis Okugbaye.

Also, we urge the military authorities to respect the rule of law, human rights, and international humanitarian law. And call on the government to take immediate action to ensure the release of the community leaders and to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Okuama PG and Treasurer in military custody.

We will continue to advocate for the rights of the detained community leaders and seek justice for the unlawful detention and death of Okuama President-General, the late Pa James Oghoroko.

Signed

Dr. John Uwa

(Secretary URS)