UPUA America Consoles Family Of Late Okuama PG, One Other, Calls On Military To Release Others, Urges Tinubu To Intervene

By Williams Ode

Following the death of Okuama community President – General, Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko who died in military detention and another who also died in military custody, the leadership of Urhobo Progress Congress America (UPUA,) has asked for the Immediate release of other detained Okuama community leaders.

The President-General, Olorogun Abel Dafiaghor,
The Urhobo Progress Union America (UPUA) expressed deep concern and outrage over the continued detention of Okuama community leaders by the Nigerian military.

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Dafiaghor who mourned the painful exit of the great Urhobo nation’s son, saying, tragically, “two elders have already lost their lives in custody in the spate of 5 days, leaving us to ask: how many more must perish before justice is served?”

“We urgently call on the military to release all detained leaders from the Okuama community. If there are allegations against them, they should be formally charged and tried in a court of law rather than subjected to indefinite detention. This prolonged military detention is a grave affront to human rights, dignity, and the principles of justice that underpin our democracy.”

UPUA appealed directly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene and ensure the immediate release of these community leaders.

“We further request that they be granted bail and their cases handled transparently through the judicial process.”

In a press statement jointly issued by the President of UPUA, Dr. Abel Dafiaghor, and the Secretary, Mr. Ovie Fred Okotie, “they strongly condemned these actions and called on the military to end this injustice.

“The people of Okuama deserve to live without fear, and the detained leaders deserve their fundamental rights.
Additionally, we appeal to well-meaning Nigerians and international human rights organizations to join us in praying and advocating for the Okuama community.”

UPUA, expressed that, “Many of its members remain displaced, scattered in bushes and IDP camps, enduring unimaginable hardships.”

” The time to act is now—before more lives are unnecessarily lost. Justice, fairness, and human dignity must prevail,” they stated.