Tension In Delta Community As Another Okuama Leader, Okugbaye Dies In Military Detention

The 81-year-old treasurer of Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, Pa Dennis Okugbaye, has died in military detention.

Okugbaye’s death comes barely six days after the community’s President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, died in military detention.

According to SaharaReporters, the son of the late community treasurer, Pastor Akpos Okugbaye, announced his father’s demise on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the already mourning community.

Okugbaye’s family reportedly sent over ₦401,000 for his medical treatment between Monday and Tuesday.

There are fears within the community that the death of the two leaders might reignite another protest.

Recall that the military arrested Okugbaye and Oghoroko, alongside Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mabel Owhemu, and Dennis Malaka, between August 18 and 20, 2024.

The arrests followed the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers on a peace mission aimed at resolving a dispute between Okuama and the neighbouring Okoloba community.

The military had responded to the soldiers’ deaths with a violent raid on Okuama, reducing the town to ruins and forcing residents to flee to an internally displaced persons camp in the Ewu Kingdom, established by the Delta State government.