The Untold Story Of Okuoma Massacre

The Okuoma community, located in Bomadi local government area of Delta State, Nigeria has come to public attention due to a tragic incident that occurred on March 14, 2024. The incident happened during a communal crisis between Okuoma and its neighbouring community, Okoloba, resulting in the loss of 17 soldiers, including high-ranking officers who were on a peace mission. According to reports, Okuoma and Okoloba have been in a long-standing land dispute for years.

There are conflicting reports regarding the murder of these 17 soldiers in the Okuoma community. The military claimed that the soldiers were on a peacekeeping mission, but the Okuoma community disputes this and suspects that their rivals conspired with the military to attack them and capture their leaders. Some believe that the youths retaliated by ambushing and killing the soldiers. However, another narrative suggests that militants engaging in oil theft were responsible, that the community had nothing to do with it. These conflicting reports have raised questions about the actual circumstances that led to the soldiers’ gruesome murder.

The nation grieves the loss of its servicemen and seeks justice for all affected victims, with hopes for swift return of peace to the embattled communities. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

The killing of 17 soldiers over land or oil disputes is deeply troubling and inexcusable. These resources are natural endowment and a blessing to our nation. Irrespective of the motives behind this heinous act, the stack reality remains, lives have been lost, children left fatherless, and the future of the grieving families shattered. These soldiers had no ties to Delta State beyond their national service. It is very sad that such a tragic incident occurred and those found culpable for this gruesome murder must be held accountable for their actions.

The fallen soldiers have been laid to rest and honoured with posthumous national awards. At the burial ceremony, the Federal government announced a cheering compensation package for the families of the fallen soldiers. This includes scholarships for all the children of the deceased, including the unborn, up to university level, as well as a house for each family anywhere in Nigeria. This gesture will definitely alleviate the financial strain on the bereaved families and also shows the government’s commitment to supporting those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

I would at this junction, like to express my admiration for President Bola Tinubu’s exceptional and timely support for the children of the fallen soldiers. This act of kindness will undoubtedly fulfil the aspirations their parents had for them. There is indeed dignity in labour, as we say it, particularly when one is in the right place at the right time.

This noble act brings to mind the passing of my sister in 2018. Regrettably, she was not as fortunate. Perhaps, she was not in the right place at the right time. Despite being a devoted worker, her children have been unjustly deprived of their mother’s rightful death benefits due to prolonged delays. As the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied. Six years have gone by with no resolution in sight.

My sister was not a victim of violence. She passed after a brief illness. You might be wondering why I’m sharing this. Please follow my story. Like the fallen soldiers, my sister died while in service with many plans for her family, including post- retirement life. The grief of losing her is still fresh in our hearts, and compounded by the withholding of her rightful benefits, affecting her children. Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches, but we cannot question God. May her soul continue to rest in eternal peace.

Every employee who passes away while actively employed is entitled to receive group life insurance benefits, pension contributions, and other benefits that are specified in their employment contract. It’s important for the families of the deceased to be promptly informed about these benefits. This is the untold story of Okuoma massacre.

Under Section 5 of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, all Nigerian employers are required to provide Group life insurance coverage for each employee, for at least three times the employee’s annual total emoluments (salary and benefits). Additionally, the PRA 2014 mandates the establishment of a contributory retirement savings account for each employee as a retirement benefit. This account, managed by pension fund administrators, is paid out to the employee upon retirement or to their named beneficiaries in the event of death while in service. Group life insurance, on the other hand, is managed by a licensed life insurance company with benefits paid to beneficiaries of the deceased employees upon death.

It may be of interest to note that my sister’s children lost both parents within a year, thrusting them into sudden financial responsibilities, including managing their parents’ estate. Yet for four years, my sister’s employer did not communicate any death benefits to the children, nor initiate the process until enquiries were made in the fourth year. Employers should do better to honour their late employees by promptly informing the family of their entitlements and processing their rightful benefits upon receipt of death notification. I thought, this is given.

In these difficult times, the importance of timely communication with the families of deceased soldiers and providing them with full compensation cannot be overstressed. This not only offers relief for the families but also gives direction for the children’s future. The children should not suffer indefinitely from the loss of their fathers. Delayed justice, particularly with rising inflation diminishing the value of money, is equivalent to justice being denied.

Many may be unaware of this statutory employee benefits and what it entails. Hence, I would like to shed some light on what Group Life Assurance and Pension schemes are, and how they function in retirement and death in service cases. Additionally, I will touch on the life annuity options available to retirees; in case anyone reading is interested.

Group Life Insurance:

• This insurance covers a group of individuals under one policy e.g. staff of the same organization, alumni associations (School or workplace), social clubs, professional bodies, etc.
• The employer initiates the policy and funds the policy, with the employee as the assured and the beneficiary receiving the proceeds in the event of the employee’s death while in service.
• The proceeds of the policy are paid upon death, or other specified events during employment.
• Coverage ceases once an employee exits the organization, thus leaving the group.
• According to the Pension Reform Act 2014, employers in Nigeria with minimum of five employees are required to maintain a group life insurance policy for each employee, amounting to a minimum of 3 times their annual total emoluments (Salary and benefits).
• This aims to provide financial security to employees’ families in the event of death while in active service.
• Should an employer fail to pay the premiums for the policy, employers remain obligated to pay the deceased’s beneficiaries, which remains 300% of the deceased’s last annual total emolument (Salary and benefits).
• Employers are entitled to a refund of unused premium if they lay off staff while the policy is in effect.
• Beneficiaries of deceased employees have the right to seek legal counsel and representation under the Pension Reform Act to ensure they receive full entitlement.

Pension Scheme:

• The Pension Reform Act mandated a contributory pension scheme that requires both employers and employees to contribute a portion of the employee’s salary to the scheme each month. This applies to both the public and private sectors.
• Contributions:

Employers contribute a minimum of 10% of an employee’s salary.

Employees contribute a minimum of 8% of their salary.

Employees have the freedom to make voluntary contributions beyond the statutory requirement.

• Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs): These are institutions responsible for the management of the pension fund.
• These contributions are invested and grown over time, providing retirement income for retirees or their beneficiaries in the event of death.
• The Pension scheme ensures the payment of retirement benefits popularly called ‘Pension’ to employees upon retirement or to their beneficiaries if they die while in service.
• At retirement, retirees receive their accumulated savings as regular payments typically monthly, based on the calculated life expectancy, or they can opt to purchase a life annuity from a life insurance company, depending on their personal and financial preferences.
• Retirees can access their pension fund at retirement.

Life Annuity:

• According to the Pension Reform Act 2014, a Life Annuity is a retirement plan option for individuals who have contributed to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
• A retiree negotiates with a life insurance company to purchase an annuity plan.
• The retiree pays a lump sum as premium, typically the total balance of the Retirement Savings Account (RSA), to the insurance company.
• In exchange for the premium paid, the insurance company provides a guaranteed fixed monthly payment for the retiree’s lifetime and sometimes beyond.
• The payment amount remains constant for the retiree’s lifetime.
• The Annuity pays throughout the life of the annuitant and may continue to pay the beneficiary any remaining balance from the guaranteed sum after the annuitant’s death, ensuring a lifetime income.
• Annuity payments remain unchanged, but pension payments may vary based on the pension fund administrator’s investment decisions.
• Once a retiree opts for an annuity, they cannot switch back to Pensions however, those on Pensions may purchase an annuity plan.
• Both Pensions and Annuity offer tax benefits and are regulated by PenCom and NAICOM respectively.

Thanks for taking the time to read to the end and be sure to tune in for my next episode ‘2020 EndSars Brouhaha’.