The Delta State Government has announced that it is still awaiting confirmation from the military on the reported death of Pa Dennis Okugbaye, the 81-year-old Treasurer of the Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area.

This is coming as more stakeholders have condemned the death of the octogenarian, who reportedly died in Nigerian military detention on Tuesday, six days after the President General of the community, Pa James Oghoroko, also died in detention.

Oghoroko and Okugbaye were among six other leaders of the community who were arrested in August 2024.

Reacting to the development, yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, said: “The military has not confirmed to the state government that any other person died after the first one.”

He added that “We don’t have confirmation as to the death of that person and we cannot start speculating now.”

Reacting to the sad development, the President, Conference of Presidents-General of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said: “The sacking of Okuama Community, in the ancient Ewu Kingdom by men of the military, is condemned by our organisation, made up of several ethnic groups in Delta State and beyond.

“The news of the death of the Okuama leader and other prominent citizens of the community under military detention is very shocking and disturbing. Proper investigation including an autopsy should be conducted for the dead persons. Whoever is culpable should be taken to court.”

A Niger Delta activist based in Warri, Charles Tejiri said: “The army should show some level of decency on this Okuama issue. The way the army has been going about this Okuama matter has been faulted severally.

“It is sad that the army allowed two prominent sons of the area to die in its custody. It is time the others still with them are set free and the matter handed over to the police for thorough investigation and anyone found culpable should be arraigned in line with the laws of the land.”

The Executive Director of COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peace Building, Mr Saviour Akpan, blamed the sad incident on failure of the system, wondering why the trial of the community leaders arrested because of the killing of soldiers was delayed.

His words, “We have a very poor criminal justice system that is extremely adversarial. Why I say so is that since that incident happened in Okuama community, in an effective and efficient criminal justice system by now trial would have been concluded.

“Again, the government failed to provide feedback on the issue. If you say that soldiers went to that community for peace mission, was there any committee set up?, If yes, where is the report of that Committee? Do we have any government white paper regarding that?”

A political activist, Mr. Blessing Adima, said the military should be called to question.

He said: “We have just lost two prominent sons of Urhobo and the Niger Delta in military detention. I am surprised that up till now, civilians are still in military detention when we are in a democratic setting.

“What are those people still doing in military detention in a democratic setting? How did they die? What are the circumstances surrounding their death? These are the issues that we should be asking questions about.”

Retired President of the Delta State Area Customary court, Miakpor Emiaso, described the death of the Okuama leaders in custody as heart wrenching.

He said; “It is most unfortunate that people who are detained under custody of the law are dying in custody. It is a reflection of the kind of environment that people who are arrested and detained are kept in this country.

“Military custody and people are dying there in 2024? This is worrisome and something must be done about it; at least those who are supposed to take care of these two Okuama leaders who have died in military custody need to be made to account for what really happened and if they are found culpable, they should be made to suffer some sanctions to serve as deterrent to others who have such duties.”