The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Nigerian Army to immediately release its investigation report on the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama Community, Ughelli South, Delta State, on March 14, 2024.

The House also urged the military to either release detained community members or charge them to court, while advocating for the reconstruction of homes destroyed in the aftermath of the incident.

Moving the motion, Francis Waive (APC, Delta) recalled that the soldiers’ lifeless bodies were discovered in Okuama, leading to widespread destruction and mass arrests by the army.

Waive lamented that despite assurances from the Chief of Defense Staff last year that the military knew the perpetrators, no arrests have been made, sending a troubling message about justice and accountability.

He said several innocent indigenes of the community, including the President General of the community, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Hon. Chief Belvis Adogo, Mr. Dennis Amlaka, Miss Owhemu Mabel, and Pa James Oghoroko, who died in custody, among others, were detained and have since been in detention. 

He said, “This week marks the one-year anniversary of a tragic event, and the community members in the Army’s custody have not been taken to court or released on bail. 

“The affected community requested that a judicial inquiry be made to look into the facts of the events, an option that was not considered. The Committee on Defense conducted an investigation into the matter, which the Army refused to participate

“The Nigerian Army decided to conduct their own investigations, it is believed that by now, one year later, they should have had sufficient time to conclude investigations.”