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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
The Urhobo Media Practitioners and Advocacy Group (UMPAG) has condemned the reported death of Pa James Oghoroko, president-general of Okuama town in Ewu Kingdom, Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, in military detention.
Last week, the media was agog with news that Pa. Oghoroko had died in a military facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State following his prolonged detention over the March 14 massacre of some military personnel in Okuama community.
The group in a statement yesterday condemned the actions of the military, which led to the death of the community leader.
The statement signed by Mr. Okpare Theophilus Onojeghen, Chief Omafume Amurun and Shedrack Onitsha, said the incident is a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the dignity of the people of Okuama Community.
The group, however, demanded thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pa Oghoroko’s death and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
It also urged the Nigerian government to address the underlying issues that led to the conflict in Okuama Community and work towards finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The statement read: “Furthermore, we call on international human rights bodies, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, to take notice of the human rights abuse in Okuama town in Ewu Kingdom and condemn the actions of the Nigerian military and government. We urge these human rights bodies to call on the Nigerian government to respect the human rights of the people of Okuama Community and to ensure that those responsible for Pa Oghoroko’s death are held accountable.
“We also demand the immediate release of other Okuama leaders, including Professor Arthur Ekpekpor, who are being held in various military detention without investigation and trial. This is arbitrary use of powers, which in any case, runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.
“We further demand that if there is an allegation against the detained Okuama leaders, they should be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction in line with the constitution of Nigeria.
“As a body of media practitioners, we’ll continue to condemn the gruesome and unjustified killing of the 17 military personnel. While we console the grieving families, we demand for an unbiased and holistic probe into the tragic incident.
“We extend our condolences to the family of Pa Oghoroko, the people of Okuama Community, and the entire Ewu Kingdom. May Pa Oghoroko’s death not be in vain, and may it serve as a catalyst for change and justice in Nigeria”, the statement further said.
