By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The death of Oghenekaro Ugochukwu Bonny, a young man allegedly stabbed to death by a soldier at Delta Marine Logistics and Technical (DMLT) Estate in Otokutu, Ughelli South Local Government Area, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability in Nigeria’s security system.
What began as a routine visit to a friend on Sunday, October 12, 2025, turned tragic when Ugo’s life was cut short in an encounter that eyewitnesses describe as unnecessary and brutal.
According to those who witnessed the incident, Ugo and two friends had arrived at the DMLT Estate gate around evening hours. They were stopped by a soldier on guard who allegedly questioned their reason for entering the premises. An argument followed one that, witnesses say, could have been easily resolved but instead escalated fatally.
“The soldier refused to let them in even after explanations,” one eyewitness recounted. “Voices were raised, and before we knew it, there was a struggle. Then, the soldier stabbed him. It was shocking people were screaming.”
Ugo was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries before doctors could save him.
In a statement released after the incident, the Nigerian Army claimed the soldier acted in self-defence, alleging that Ugo and his friends tried to force entry into the estate without proper clearance and turned violent during the confrontation.
The Army’s statement described the death as an “unfortunate consequence of a physical altercation,” asserting that the soldier had acted in line with his duty.
But that version of events has been firmly rejected by both eyewitnesses and the victim’s family.
To Ugo’s relatives, the claim of self-defence is a cruel distortion of what really happened. They insist their son was neither aggressive nor a threat.
“He was unarmed and only visiting a friend,” said a family source. “The story that he tried to force his way in is false. We were not properly informed or included in any investigation. Everything seems to be swept under the rug.”
The family has since called on the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure justice is served.
Amid public anger, the Journalists for Defence of Human Rights (JDHR) a coalition of rights-minded journalists has taken up the matter, demanding a transparent and independent investigation into the killing.
In a statement signed by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Okakuro Akpokona Omafuaire, chairman and secretary respectively, JDHR condemned the killing as “a grave abuse of power and a violation of human rights.”
“The military’s self-defence narrative lacks credibility,” the group said. “There is no evidence that the deceased posed any danger. We demand a full review of autopsy findings, eyewitness accounts, and security footage to establish the truth.”
JDHR also called for the immediate suspension of the soldier involved, pending investigation, to prevent interference or cover-up.
The group further urged the Delta State Police Command and military authorities to work together transparently, saying that justice must not only be done but seen to be done.
“Too many innocent citizens have lost their lives in similar circumstances,” JDHR stated. “Accountability is the only way to rebuild public confidence in our security institutions.”
At Otokutu, where the incident occurred, the atmosphere remains tense. Residents expressed shock and fear, with many calling for restraint among security personnel deployed in civilian areas.
“Everyone here is afraid,” said a shop owner near the estate. “If a man can be killed just for visiting a friend, what safety do the rest of us have?”
As the dust settles, the call for justice grows louder from rights groups, journalists, and ordinary citizens alike.
For Ugo’s family, the pain is still raw.
For JDHR, it is another reminder of the fragility of human rights under the weight of unchecked power.
Until a transparent investigation is carried out and justice delivered, his death will remain not just a tragedy but a symbol of a larger national question:
When will Nigerians truly be safe in the hands of those meant to protect them?