The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has mandated a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of two Okuama community leaders who allegedly died while in Army custody.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, made the announcement during the Strategic Communications Interagency Committee (SCIPC) end-of-year briefing in Abuja, organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The deceased individuals, Pa James Oghoroko, the President General of Okuama Community, and Pa Denis Okugbaye, the community’s 81-year-old treasurer, reportedly died six days apart while detained by the military.
The two were among six individuals detained in August in connection with the deaths of 17 military personnel on March 14, during a peace mission to mediate a dispute between the Okuama and Okoloba communities.
In response to inquiries, Gusau confirmed that the CDS had instructed the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, based in Port Harcourt, to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths and submit its findings by December 16.
In other news, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has dismissed claims of the presence of any foreign military base in the country.
This comes in response to reports suggesting the establishment of a French military base in northeastern Nigeria. Major General Edward Buba, spokesman for the Defence Media Operations (DMO), refuted these reports, calling them “false, misleading, and the work of mischief-makers.”
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains focused on fulfilling its constitutional duties and safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity, urging the public to disregard the rumors.
