The household of Pa Dennis Okugbaye, the second leader of Okuama community in Delta State, has criticised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for remaining silent six days after the aged chief died in army custody.
Pa Okugbaye, 81, who served because the Treasurer of Okuama neighborhood in Ughelli South Native Authorities Space, handed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, only a week after the dying of the neighborhood’s President Common, Pa James Oghoroko.
The Nigerian Army has remained silent on the dying of two leaders from the Okuama neighborhood, Delta State.
Oghoroko and Okugbaye, died within the military’s custody inside six days intervals.
Household sources on Sunday disclosed that the army was transporting Pa Okugbaye from Port Harcourt to Asaba, however regardless of the household paying N140,000 for gasoline to make sure his motion, they have been knowledgeable solely on Tuesday that he had died through the journey.
A member of the family, who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a consequence of safety issues, shared the painful particulars: “We have been instructed our father was very sick, and we wanted to ship N140,000 to purchase gasoline to carry him to Asaba, so we may take him to the hospital.
“We complied and have been instructed to fulfill at 63 Bridge, Asaba, to obtain him. Solely our sister was allowed to gather him.
“She waited there till round 5 pm, however there was no phrase. We contacted a few of our leaders, together with Governor Oborevwori, to tell them of the state of affairs.”
They continued, “By Tuesday, after we referred to as once more to inquire concerning the subsequent steps, we have been instructed our father died on the street. It is rather painful to be handled this manner.”
Regardless of the devastating information, the household claims they haven’t obtained any communication from the army or Oborevwori, whom they regard as the daddy of the state.
The deceased, Pa Okugbaye, together with Pa Oghoroko, was arrested in August 2024 alongside different distinguished neighborhood figures, together with Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and Chief Belvis Adogbo. These people stay in army detention.
Social critic Mr. Zik Gbemre has additionally expressed robust disapproval of the governor’s silence.
In a press release issued on Sunday, Gbemre lambasted Governor Oborevwori for failing to intervene in what he described as a gross abuse of energy by the army.
“The deaths of two Okuama leaders in army detention and the illegal detention of others expose the escalating failure of establishments within the state,” Gbemre mentioned.
“It’s deeply shameful that because the Chief Safety Officer of the state, Oborevwori has not taken steps to name the military to order. What’s unfolding in Delta is appalling and inciting.”
He continued, “Slightly than rise up for the rights of Okuama individuals, key stakeholders have remained passive, leaving the neighborhood to endure such hardship.”
Efforts to achieve the Commissioner for Data, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, and the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Festus Ahon, for a press release on the governor’s place, have been unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered on the time of submitting this report.