A year after the gruesome killing of 17 Nigerian army personnel in Okuama, Delta State, the military has yet to identify and apprehend the true masterminds behind the attack. Instead, community leaders remain in prolonged detention without trial, sparking outrage and calls for justice.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Prof. Sunny Ahwefeada, a member of the World Council of Urhobo Professors, expressed deep frustration over the security agencies’ failure to make a breakthrough in their investigations.
“It is quite baffling that, one year later, the intelligence community has been unable to track down the real perpetrators of this heinous crime. This lingering uncertainty is unacceptable,” Ahwefeada lamented.
He stressed that delivering justice was crucial—not only for the families of the slain soldiers but also for the Okuama community, which continues to bear the brunt of the military’s unresolved investigation.
The attack, which occurred on March 14, 2024, saw the brutal murder of 17 army personnel, including the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, a captain, and 12 soldiers. The massacre prompted an immediate military takeover of the riverine community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, forcing many residents to flee into the creeks and neighbouring villages for safety.
While the fallen officers have since been laid to rest at the Military Cemetery in Abuja, the community remains in turmoil, with homes deserted and livelihoods disrupted.
In the wake of the killings, the military arrested several Okuama community leaders, allegedly in connection with the attack. However, no formal charges have been filed, and one of the detainees—an 80-year-old man—has reportedly died in military custody.
“Even if these individuals are considered suspects, they should be handed over to the police and charged in a court of law. As long as they haven’t been convicted, they are still innocent under the law,” Ahwefeada asserted.
He revealed that the detainees had been held since August 2024, surpassing six months in military detention without trial—a blatant violation of their fundamental rights.
“One of them has already died in custody. How long will the rest remain locked up without justice? These people should be released immediately,” he demanded.
While acknowledging some government interventions, including the establishment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Ahwefeada cast doubt on the credibility of the military’s internal probe into the attack.
“The military investigating itself will not yield an impartial outcome. We need a neutral, independent commission of inquiry to thoroughly examine this case, identify the real perpetrators, and deliver justice,” he insisted.
As the one-year anniversary of the massacre passes with no resolution in sight, the Okuama community remains caught between military repression and unanswered questions. With calls for an independent investigation growing louder, the Nigerian government and security agencies face mounting pressure to end arbitrary detentions and ensure justice is served—both for the slain soldiers and the embattled community.
PIONEER NEWS 