Release Okuama leaders or bring them to court – Senator Dafinone tells military
The Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, has reiterated calls by prominent Urhobos for the unconditional release of the Ewu-Okuama leaders, or for the detainees to be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Speaking as a guest on Crown FM Effurun, in a programme monitored by DAILY POST, the Delta Central lawmaker listed those arrested between August 18 and 20, 2024, and who have since been in military detention, as Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo; Mr Julius Oghoroko; Mr Bernard Esegba; the President General of the Okuama Community, Pa James Oghoroko; Treasurer, Pa Dennis Okugbaye; Chief Belvis Adogbo; Pa Anthony Ahwemuria; and Mrs Rita Akata.
He stated that one of the detainees had died while in custody, and that the military authorities had yet to release his body to his family for a proper burial.
While assuring the Urhobo people that his office and key Urhobo stakeholders were actively engaging with the military authorities to secure the release of the Ewu-Okuama leaders, who have been in custody for almost a year, he said: “Efforts to secure the release of our people currently in captivity have been ongoing. This is not just the work of my office, but also of several senior figures in Delta State, including some based abroad, Urhobo leaders who are committed to ensuring that these individuals are either released or formally charged to an open court.
“The matter remains a top priority. The families are in constant touch with me, and we are guiding them in their own approaches while they, in turn, lend support to ours.
“I can confirm that my office is in regular contact with both the Nigerian Army and the justice system to find ways of resolving the situation. Our goal is simple: to secure the release of our people from detention.
“Tragically, one of the detainees has died while in custody. We are pressing the authorities to release his body to his family so he can be given a proper burial. This matter is actively on the table, and we are exploring every possible avenue to bring the remaining detainees home.
“My recent discussions on this matter have focused on ensuring that we do not allow the anniversary to pass without resolution. No one should be held for a year without trial or formal charge.
“Our governor and other prominent Urhobo leaders are pulling their weight on this matter. We are not sleeping over the plight of our Okuama brothers held in military custody for over a year now. But this is not a matter to be used for politics or to score cheap political points, as some would like. We are talking about human lives, our brothers.”
The detainees were arrested over alleged involvement in the killing of 17 soldiers reportedly on a peace mission to the Okuama community.
Release Okuama leaders or bring them to court – Senator Dafinone tells military
