Human Rights Advocate and Lawyer, Frank Tietie, has called for the release of Dr Arthur Ekpekpo, a Professor of Physics at the Delta State University and President-General of Okuama Community/Ewu Development Union, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Amalaka, and Mabel Owhemu, allegedly arrested and detained by military authorities since 2024 following the clash in the Okuama and Okoloba communities, in which several soldiers of the Nigerian Army were killed.
 
Tietie stated that the allegation of the killing of soldiers posed a grave danger. He, nevertheless, noted that the law being the very foundation of society, must take its course or else, injustice would prevail.
 
According to him, one James Achovwuko Oghoroko, one of the detainees, was reported to have died in military custody, while the Treasurer of Okuama Community, Pa Dennis Okugbaye, was reportedly ill and was later released on health grounds.
 
Briefing the media in Abuja yesterday, Tietie said that it is regrettable that the clash between the Okwuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State led to the death of several soldiers, with a reprisal attack from the army, which levelled the community.
 
Two years after that incident, Tietie said: “I am compelled, as a lawyer, human rights advocate, civil society leader, and media personality, to call for urgent national attention to the continued detention of leaders and members of the Okuama Community without charge or trial since 2024.
 
“This situation raises grave constitutional and moral concerns for a country that prides itself on adherence to the rule of law,” he said.

ALSO, members of the Okuama Community have told politicians, including President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, that there will be no election in the community if their detained leaders are not released.

Okuama Community gave the order yesterday during a protest against the continued detention of its leaders.
 
The Chairman of Okuama Community, Mr Vote Johnwalker, while addressing the press, said that the decision became apparent because Okuama is being treated as an outcast in the country.
 
According to the chairman, “it has been about two years now since our leaders were arrested and detained by the military after the destruction of the community.”

“It is trite that the country is ruled by the law. When someone is accused of committing a crime, he is charged in court after arrest, and then the person is tried.