PERPETRATORS YET TO BE IDENTIFIED ONE YEAR AFTER OKUAMA KILLINGS, URHOBO LEADERS LAMENT

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Prof. Sunny Ahwefeada, a member of the World Council of Urhobo Professors, believes that the fact that the security personnel have not yet apprehended the individuals who killed 17 army officers in Okuma, Delta State, after a year has left them perplexed.

Speaking as a guest on a television program on Friday, Ahwefeada stated that finding the perpetrators of the horrible crime and holding them accountable would significantly help to close the case.

Following the horrific deaths of 17 Army personnel in the riverine community in the state’s Ughelli South Local Government Area on March 14, 2024, many locals fled into the creeks and other nearby communities, forcing the military to assume control of the area.

The 181 Amphibious Battalion’s commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and twelve battalion members were among the 17 individuals who were later laid to rest at the Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Speaking later on the show, the Urhobo leader bemoaned the fact that the Okuama community leaders who were arrested following the incident are still being held in custody months after their arrest.

He regretted the death of one of the community leaders in military detention and appealed for the release of the remaining detainees.

“These people that were arrested, even if they are considered suspects, should be handed over to the police and be charged to court. So, 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.

“They were arrested between 18th and 20th of August, this is March, this is more than half a year since they were incarcerated, and as I said earlier, one of them, an 80-year-old man died in military detention. So, we are thinking that these people should be released,” he said.

Ahwefeada acknowledged that there were some interventions by the government including setting up of IDP camps. He also recalled that the military set up an investigative panel but said that the military can’t be a judge in its own case.

He appealed to the government to set up an independent commission of inquiry, saying that this will help in bringing closure to the matter.