Nigeria: Army, family disagree over killing of man in Delta

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

A controversy has erupted over the killing of Ugochukwu Oghenekaro, who was shot by a soldier at the Delta Marine Logistics and Technical Estate in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The incident occurred on October 16 2025, when Oghenekaro and two others visited a friend at the estate.

According to the Nigerian Army, the soldier acted in self-defense after Oghenekaro and his companions attempted to force their way into the premises without clearance. The Army stated that the soldier used armed combat skills to subdue Oghenekaro, who was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

However, the family of the deceased disputes the Army’s account, claiming that Oghenekaro was unarmed and posed no threat to the soldier. A close relative of the victim, Peace Idirima, who was in the same vehicle during the incident, described the Army’s narrative as “twisted facts” and accused the military of attempting to cover up the incident.

The family has expressed shock that the Nigerian Army would label them as criminals, stating that they were accompanying Oghenekaro to meet a caterer he had paid to prepare a cake and decorations for his wife’s birthday celebration. They claim that the soldier had a history of violent behavior and that Oghenekaro was unjustly shot.

The family has withdrawn cooperation from the ongoing police investigation and is preparing to pursue legal action, having already engaged a lawyer and gathering evidence, including autopsy results, photographs, and audio recordings.

A rights activist, Israel Joe, has condemned the Army for defending the soldier, whom he identified as “Sefiu,” and has vowed to write a protest letter to the Minister of Defense and stage a peaceful protest.