Key Points

• Army says soldier killed civilian in self-defense during a confrontation.

• Family alleges cover-up and plans to sue the Nigerian Army.

• Rights activist vows protest and petition to Defence Minister.

Tension is rising in Delta State after a man, Ugochukwu Oghenekaro, was killed by a soldier at the Delta Marine Logistics and Technical (DMLT) Estate in Otokutu, Ughelli South Local Government Area.

The Nigerian Army says the soldier acted in self-defense during a confrontation. But Oghenekaro’s family says he was murdered without cause and that the Army is attempting to cover up the incident.

Army says soldier acted in self-defense

In a statement issued by Capt. Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, acting assistant director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba, the Army described the killing as a case of self-defense.

“The incident occurred on October 13, 2025, during a tense confrontation between a soldier and a suspected criminal at DMLT Estate,” the statement said.

“The fracas began when a group of individuals tried to enter the premises without clearance. When the soldier questioned them, they became aggressive and unruly.

During the struggle, the soldier acted in self-defense and injured one of them. The individual was taken to a nearby hospital but was later confirmed dead.”

The Army said the Otu-Jeremi Police Division had been notified and that an investigation was ongoing.

Family rejects Army’s version, calls it falsehood

Oghenekaro’s relatives have rejected the military’s account, calling it an attempt to twist the facts.

A close family member, Peace Idirima, who was in the same vehicle when the incident happened, accused the Army of defaming the victim.

“I’m shocked the Nigerian Army would call us criminals,” Idirima said. “We went to the estate to see a caterer Oghenekaro had paid N500,000 for his wife’s birthday preparations. We posed no threat.

The soldier who shot him had a reputation for aggression. Residents of the estate even said they’d complained about him before.”

He said the Army had earlier invited the family to the barracks for what they described as “peace talks,” but that after they refused to settle quietly, the military turned around to brand them criminals.

“They seized our phones at the barracks to stop us from recording,” Idirima said. “Now they’re spreading lies.

We’ve withdrawn cooperation from the police investigation and hired a lawyer. We’re preparing to sue. We have evidence—autopsy results, photos, and recordings. We won’t stay silent.”

Activist condemns Army, vows protest

Human rights activist Israel Joe criticized the Army’s statement and said he would lead a protest to demand justice for Oghenekaro.

“This is another case of military brutality against unarmed civilians,” Joe said. “We’ll send a petition to the Minister of Defence and stage a peaceful protest.

If the Army insists the man was a criminal, then we’ll hand them the corpse to bury.”

He described the Army’s account as “a disgraceful attempt to protect a murderer” and identified the soldier involved as one “Sefiu.”

“Your officer killed an innocent man in the presence of his brothers and ran away after stabbing him,” Joe said. “Oghenekaro had no criminal record.

None of his brothers were armed. The Army’s investigation is shallow and one-sided. They never interviewed any eyewitnesses.”

As of press time, the Army had not released further details about its internal investigation, and the Delta State Police Command had yet to issue a formal statement.