By Rose Omoyemwen Ozabor
The Urhobo Media practitioners and Advocacy Group (UMPAG) has called on the United Nations and other international human rights organizations to probe the death of the President-General of Okuama community in Ewu Kingdom, Pa. James Oghoroko, in a military detention in Nigeria.
The group said it suspects foul play in the circumstances leading to the death of Pa. Oghoroko in military detention, stressing that there is a need to thoroughly investigate what killed the community leader in military custody.
Pa. Oghoroko and other Okuama community leaders were arrested in August following the gruesome killing of 17 military personnel around the creeks in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area in Delta state.
The call on the UN and other human rights organizations to probe the Okuama leader was contained in a statement issued on behalf of UMPAG by Mr. Okpare Theophilus Onojeghen, Chief Omafume Amurun, and Comrade Shedrack Onitsha on Sunday.
The group condemned the actions of the Nigerian military, which led to the tragic death of Pa. Oghoroko, while calling on the federal government and military authorities to release other Okuama leaders, including the President-General of Ewu Kingdom, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpor who are still being held in military detention.
The statement read, “The Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group is shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Pa James Oghoroko, the President-General of Okuama town in Ewu Kingdom, Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, who died in Nigerian military detention.
“We strongly condemn the actions of the Nigerian military, which led to the untimely death of Pa Oghoroko. This incident is a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the dignity of the people of Okuama Community.
“We demand a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pa Oghoroko’s death and call for those responsible to be held accountable. We also urge the Nigerian government to address the underlying issues that led to the conflict in Okuama Community and work towards finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
“Furthermore, we call on international human rights bodies, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, to take notice of the human rights abuse in Okuama town in Ewu Kingdom and condemn the actions of the Nigerian military and government. We urge these human rights bodies to call on the Nigerian government to respect the human rights of the people of Okuama Community and to ensure that those responsible for Pa Oghoroko’s death are held accountable.
“We also demand the immediate release of other Okuama leaders, including Professor Arthur Ekpekpor, who are being held in various military detention facilities without investigation and trial. This is an arbitrary use of powers, which in any case runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.
“We further demand that if there is an allegation against the detained Okuama leaders, they should be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction in line with the constitution of Nigeria.
“As a body of media practitioners, we’ll continue to condemn the gruesome and unjustified killing of the 17 military personnel. While we console the grieving families, we demand an unbiased and holistic probe into the tragic incident.
“We extend our condolences to the family of Pa Oghoroko, the people of Okuama Community, and the entire Ewu Kingdom. May Pa Oghoroko’s death not be in vain, and may it serve as a catalyst for change and justice in Nigeria.”
