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Okuama Massacre: No One Left In Okuama Community – Gov. Oborevwori
There is no one left in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State where Army officers and men were killed, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said yesterday.
Describing the incident as strange, he said he was unable to reach any of the community leaders.
The governor said he received an update from the military, and that the the situation was under control.
The member representing the community in the House of Representatives, Francis Waive, told his colleagues at the Green Chamber yesterday that his people were hiding in the bush.
Oborevwori spoke with reporters at the State House, Abuja, after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on developments.
The Army put the number of those killed at 17, including four officers.
The officers are Lt. Col. A.H Ali, Maj. Safa, Maj. D.E Obi, and Captain U. Zakari.
The soldiers are Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Yahaya Danbaba, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Haman Peter and Ibrahim Abdullahi.
The rest are Privates Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Ibrahim Adamu and Adamu Ibrahim.
The officers and soldiers were on a peace mission when those believed to be Okuama youths ambushed and murdered them on Thursday.
More outrage greeted the dastardly act yesterday.
The Senate, House of Representatives, prominent Nigerians and groups called for a thorough investigation.
They want the perpetrators brought to justice.
The Senate, which observed a minute’s silence in honour of the slain officers and men, mandated its committees on the Army, Defence, Air Force and Navy to investigate the killings.
Immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, called for an independent investigative panel to unearth the true nature of the incident.
Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri warned against drawing hasty conclusions on the killings or politicising the situation.
The Urhobo Traditional Rulers and the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) called for an independent truth commission on the killings and the underlying causes.
The Forum of Delta State Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) called for a special panel to probe the incident.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) urged the community leaders to expose those behind the killings.
Oborevwori said while his government has met with the military, it has not been able to meet with the community leaders because the place has been deserted.
He added: “First and foremost, the community has been deserted. So, the issue of whether we’ve been able to see the community leaders, no. We’ve only gotten full briefing from the Army and we’re on it because this week the traditional council is going to meet and discuss. I’m going to invite stakeholders. We’re on top of it.”
The governor said a security meeting was held on Monday with the heads of security agencies in attendance.
“We’re on the same page to fish out the real culprits because innocent people will not suffer for it. They have assured us that no innocent person will be victimised.”
Oborevwori said peace and security were key priorities of his administration.
According to him, he had worked with other stakeholders from Okuama and Okoloba to address the age-long rivalry between them.
The governor said: “Since last year, we’ve been enjoying peace. We commend all the security agencies, but an unfortunate thing happened last week. People who don’t know the issues are talking.
The two communities have been having issues for years. On February 7, they were invited by the state government. The two communities – the members representing the two local governments, the council chairmen and the leaders of those communities – were invited.
They agreed to work together and signed a peace accord. This unfortunate incident is very sad because Delta is governed by the tenets of the rule of law and decency. I promised Deltans that I’d be the governor of all and we’ve been enjoying peace. One of my M.O.R.E. Agenda is that we’ll enhance peace and security, and that’s what we’ve been doing.
What is happening now is something that we did not bargain for, but we want to assure everybody that there’ll be no more attacks on the villages. Those who are culpable will be brought to book, but the innocent citizens will not be attacked.”
He said the families of those killed will not be abandoned.
“The people that have been killed, the officers and soldiers – we must see how we can find succour for their families and give them a befitting burial,” Oborevwori said.
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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