Petition accuses soldiers of brutality, attempted murder in Delta, demands redress, arrest, prosecution

By Monday Peters, Abuja

A shocking case of alleged torture and attempted extra-judicial killing has been brought against soldiers attached to Rig 5 Military Base in Okpai/Kwale axis, Delta State. The victim, Mr. Israel Edafe, a staff of Sterling Global, was allegedly subjected to inhumane treatment by the soldiers on March 23, 2026.

According to a petition filed by his lawyers, Ogedege & Ogedege, Edafe was brutally assaulted, hung upside down, bathed with hot water, and tortured until he lost consciousness. The incident occurred after Edafe reported a diesel theft incident at the company’s site to the Chief Security Officer.

The petition, addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, alleged gross violation of Edafe’s fundamental human rights and demands immediate investigation, prosecution of the officers involved, and adequate compensation for the victim. The lawyers have given the Nigerian Army a deadline to respond, failing which they will seek legal redress and petition national and international human rights bodies.

The Nigerian Army has been called upon to take prompt action to address the allegations and ensure that such barbaric acts are not repeated. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about human rights abuses by security personnel.

Read the full petition”

OGEDEGBE & OGEDEGBE
(Superior Chamber)
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS/ACTIVIST
House 5 Human Right Arena by Victory School, Opposite Plantation City, Otokutu,
Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Email; omeslaw@yahoo.com Tel; 09015544908/08067503820

Date: 24th March, 2026
THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF
Nigerian Army Headquarters
Area 7, Garki
Abuja, FCT
Nigeria

Sir,

PETITION AGAINST SOLDIERS ATTACHED TO RIG 5 (OKPAI/KWALE AXIS) FOR TORTURE, ATTEMPTED EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING AND GROSS VIOLATION OF FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF MR. ISRAEL EDAFE

We are Solicitors to Mr. Israel Edafe, a staff of Sterling Global, employed as a Payloader/Forklift Operator attached to the Civil Department at Enyi (Ogu) Location, Anambra State, and on whose firm instructions we write.

It is our instruction thus;
1. On the 14th day of March, 2026, due to rainfall, work was suspended by the supervising civil engineer, Engr. Kingsley, who was in charge in the absence of the Lead Engineer, Engr. Oge.
Consequently, staff members, including our client, proceeded in the company of Engr. Kingsley to Okpai Jetty to relax, where some of their spouses who were on visit joined them.

The following day, upon return to the site, the Site Surveyor informed our client of a reported theft incident. Our client immediately inspected the excavator under his care and discovered that the diesel in the tank had been siphoned by unknown persons.
Our client promptly reported the incident to the Chief Security Officer (CSO).
Two days thereafter, additional theft occurred involving batteries removed from two different equipment at the site.

On 23rd March, 2026, while working at Amaja Borrow Pit, our client’s equipment broke down. He duly reported the situation to the CSO and requested security assistance.
The CSO asked him to report at the office. Upon arrival, he was questioned regarding the earlier diesel theft and subsequently taken to the Base Manager.
Shockingly, upon arrival at the Base Manager’s office, the Base Manager invited military personnel attached to Rig 5 Military Base.
Without any form of investigation or lawful authority, the said soldiers descended on our client, brutally assaulting and torturing him.

Our client was forcibly taken to their military base where he was:
Severely beaten
Hung upside down,
Bathed with hot water, with the same heat poured through his throat and asked to sit on the hot water before submerging his face in the mud.

He was subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment
Tortured until he lost consciousness
Upon realizing the life-threatening condition they had inflicted on him, the soldiers rushed him to the company’s medical facility, placed him on oxygen, and later transferred him via the company’s ambulance to Donak Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
The actions of the said military personnel at the instance of Sterling Global Compony constitute:

1. Gross violation of the right to dignity of the human person as guaranteed under Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)

2. Torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
3. Attempted extra-judicial killing
4. Abuse of military power and authority.

OUR DEMANDS

In light of the above, we respectfully demand the following:
Immediate investigation into the activities of the soldiers attached to Rig 5 involved in this heinous act.

Identification and prosecution of all officers involved in the torture of our client.
Public disciplinary action to serve as a deterrent to others.
Adequate compensation for the severe physical, emotional and psychological trauma suffered by our client.
Assurance from the Nigerian Army that such barbaric acts will not reoccur.

TAKE NOTICE that failure to act promptly on this petition will leave us with no option than to:
Institute legal proceedings against the Nigerian Army and all responsible officers as we shall petition relevant national and international human rights bodies and seek full judicial redress including exemplary damages.
We make bold to state the Nigerian Army is a respected institution entrusted with the protection of lives and property, not the violation of the same. The conduct of the officers involved is barbaric, unlawful, and a complete departure from the rules of engagement and human rights standards.
We trust that your office will treat this petition with the urgency it deserves.
Yours faithfully,

OMEMIRORO OGEDEGBE, ESQ.

Enclosures; Photographs

COPY:
THE OFFICER COMMANDING
63 brigade,
Asaba,
Delta State.