The Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS), a global network of Urhobo professionals, has issued a strong call to the Nigerian military for the immediate release of Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, the President General of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom. Professor Ekpekpo was arrested on Sunday in connection with the tragic killing of 17 military personnel by unknown gunmen near Okuama community in Delta State.
The URS, raising concerns about the arrest of Professor Ekpekpo, a distinguished lecturer at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has urged the military authorities to pursue the real perpetrators of this heinous crime. They assert that the true culprits behind the killing of the brave military personnel and the enemies of the Nigerian state must be brought to justice.
Professor Ekpekpo, an indigene of Okuama and the President General of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area, was arrested alongside six other leaders from the now-destroyed Okuama community. The arrests took place at various locations across Delta State, following allegations of their involvement in the murder of the officers.
His arrest occurred after the Nigerian Defence Headquarters declared him and seven other suspects wanted for allegedly orchestrating the killings.
In response to this arrest, the Urhobo Renaissance Society, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Dr. John Uwa, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Professor Ekpekpo. The statement also calls for the release of the various investigative reports into the Okuama bloodshed, which led to the complete destruction of the community by soldiers.
The statement from URS reads, “Despite the Nigerian Army’s continued pursuit of its perceived enemies within Urhobo land, we are deeply concerned by the recent abduction of Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, a respected academic and community leader, on August 18, 2024, by military officers in Sapele, Delta State. Professor Ekpekpo, who was previously declared wanted by the Army, has been held incommunicado without being brought before a court of law, which is a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.”
The statement further emphasized that the Nigerian Army, after devastating the Okuama community, had acknowledged identifying the true perpetrators behind the killing of the 17 military officers in the Forcados River near Okuama. However, the report from the Military Investigation Panel set up to probe the incident has yet to be released to the public.
In their pursuit of justice, Professor Ekpekpo and other members of the Okuama community affected by the military’s actions have filed several lawsuits at the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, challenging the punitive destruction of their community.
The URS expressed its deep displeasure over what it describes as the “brazen and unlawful desecration” of both traditional and intellectual leaders in the Okuama community. The group condemned the arrest, detention, and inhumane treatment of Professor Ekpekpo and the King of Ewu Kingdom, urging the federal government to uphold the Constitution and act responsibly.
The Urhobo Renaissance Society concluded by demanding:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, or that he be promptly charged in court.
- The release of the Military Investigation Panel’s report on the Okuama incident.
- Accountability for those responsible for the killings.
- The initiation of the re-development of Okuama community, allowing its people to return to their ancestral lands.
“As a law-abiding organization, we call on the federal government to respect the Constitution and ensure justice is served,” the statement concluded.
