Okuama Killings: Nigerian Military Fails To Arrest Real Culprits After One Year, Continues To Detain Community Leaders

A member of the World Council of Urhobo Professors, Prof. Sunny Ahwefeada, has expressed concerns over the inability of the Nigerian military to identify and apprehend those responsible for the brutal killing of 17 army personnel in Okuama, Delta State, a year after the incident.

Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Ahwefeada described the situation as deeply confusing and lamented that the intelligence community has made no breakthrough in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“We are all confused that one year after, the intelligence community has not been able to make any headway in identifying the real perpetrators of this and bringing them to book, it is quite unfortunate,” Ahwefeada said.

He emphasised that identifying the culprits and holding them accountable would be a crucial step toward achieving closure for the affected community and the families of the slain officers.

“We are waiting and hopeful that someday the intelligence community will be able to do the needful so that we can actually know those behind that heinous crime,” he added.

Following the tragic event on March 14, 2024, when 17 army personnel — including the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, a captain, and 12 other soldiers — were gruesomely killed, the military took control of the riverine community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area. 

However, this led to mass displacement, with many residents fleeing into the creeks and neighbouring areas. 

The fallen officers were later laid to rest at the Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Ahwefeada also raised concerns over the continued detention of Okuama community leaders arrested in the aftermath of the incident. 

He disclosed that one of the detained leaders, an 80-year-old man, had died in military custody.

“These people that were arrested, even if they are considered suspects, should be handed over to the police and be charged to court. As far as we are concerned, in as much as they have not been convicted, they are still innocent, and we feel that they have been held for too long,” he stated.

He noted that the detained individuals had been in custody since August 2024, stressing that their prolonged incarceration without trial was a violation of their rights.

"They were arrested between 18th and 20th of August; this is March, more than half a year since they were incarcerated. One of them has already died in military detention. These people should be released,” he appealed.

While acknowledging some government interventions, including the establishment of IDP camps, Ahwefeada argued that the military’s internal investigative panel could not be impartial in probing its own case. 

He, therefore, called for an independent commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the killings and ensure justice is served.

“We need a neutral body to investigate this matter comprehensively. This will help in bringing closure to the affected families and the Okuama community,” he stated.