The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olusegun Adeyemi, has announced the launch of a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of several community leaders from Okuama, a village in the southeastern region of Nigeria, who were reportedly in the custody of the Nigerian Army at the time of their demise.
In a statement released today, General Adeyemi expressed profound concern over the tragic incident, which has raised serious questions regarding the conduct of security personnel and the treatment of detainees. The CDS assured the public that the investigation will be thorough, transparent, and impartial, aimed at uncovering the truth and holding accountable anyone found responsible for the deaths of the Okuama leaders.
"I have directed an immediate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the community leaders," said General Adeyemi. "The Nigerian Armed Forces remain committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, and any violation of human rights will not be tolerated. The outcome of this investigation will be shared with the public, and appropriate actions will be taken."
Reports indicate that the leaders of Okuama were detained by military personnel during an operation aimed at addressing local security concerns. However, shortly after their detention, it was revealed that several of the detainees had died under suspicious circumstances. The incident has sparked outrage among the local population and calls for accountability.
The investigation will be conducted by an independent panel comprising military officials, human rights experts, and representatives from civil society groups. The panel is tasked with determining the cause of death, identifying any potential misconduct, and recommending measures to prevent future occurrences of such incidents.