The lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ede Dafinone, has tasked the Federal Government to ensure justice for the Okuama people following the military onslaught of March 14, 2024, which left the community in ruins.  
   
The attack was carried out in response to the brutal killing of men and officers of the Nigerian Army earlier that day.   However, one year later, the government has yet to take decisive action to address the suffering of the affected people.
   
In a statement released on the first anniversary of the tragic events, Dafinone called on the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Army to either unconditionally release all detained suspects who have been held without trial for over seven months or allow them to be tried in an open court. He condemned the continued violation of their rights, emphasising that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

According to him, the military’s actions in detaining individuals without trial undermine Nigeria’s reputation in the global community of democratic nations.
   
Following interventions by Dafinone and other stakeholders, the Nigerian Army, on April 16, 2024, released the King of Ewu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Clement Ikolo, who had been arrested and detained for three weeks without charges, sparking a public outcry.
 
 However, while the Okuama Community was still reeling from the effects of the military onslaught, its President-General, Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko, who was among the community leaders arrested by the Nigerian military in August 2024, tragically died in detention. His death further heightened tensions among the people.  
   
The senator said urgent efforts must be made to restore housing, schools, healthcare facilities, and roads, “enabling the community to rebuild their lives and reclaim their dignity.”
   
“The government’s duty is not only to protect but also to rehabilitate communities affected by conflicts. Okuama should be no exception,” he added.  The federal lawmaker also condemned the continued detention of four Urhobo citizens by the military since August 2024. He said seven months without trial constitutes a gross violation of their fundamental rights and demanded their immediate release or a fair and transparent trial.