CONTRARY to speculations making the rounds that two of Okuama community leaders, namely Pa James Oghoroko and Dennis Okugbaye died recently in custody, the Nigerian Army said it has released alive, 81 year-old Pa Dennis Okugbaye, the treasurer of the Community.
He was however reportedly sick and hospitalised.
According to reports“the military authorities released him to the Senator Representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Senator Ede Dafinone. Pa Dennis Okugbaye, one of those detained persons over the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama, was reportedly admitted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
“Pa Dennis Okugbaye, who was reported to have died in military detention, was released on bail following the intervention of Senator Dafinone, and he is expected to produce him on demand”, one of the reports said, adding:
“Pa Okugbaye is currently admitted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital surrounded by family members”.
However, no mention was made about the community’s President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, whether dead as rumoured, sick or stable, as information concerning him was still unavailable, unknown to the public.
Pa James Oghoroko’s alleged death was first muted before that of Pa Dennis Okugbaye, but unlike the latter, Pa Oghoroko case has remained a mystery.
Barring any last minute hitches, the Nigerian Army is expected to submit the result of its findings over the reported deaths of two Okuama community leaders, Pa James Oghoroko and Dennis Okugbaye, while in their custody.
This followed the directive from the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa who ordered a thorough investigation into the matter following bombardment of news reports quoting credible sources and alleging that the two deaths actually occurred.
Speaking on the matter for the first time, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau stated that the Chief of Defence Staff had directed the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army to investigate the allegations and submit a report.
