02/12/2025
Naval Brutality in Ogbaru: Anglican Bishop Petitions Naval Chief Over Assault on Priest
By Bennett Agazue
Writer, Missionary, and Public Commentator
ANAMBRA STATE - A wave of condemnation has greeted the alleged brutalization of an Anglican priest, Revd. Tochukwu Agina, by a naval officer in Ogbaru Local Government Area, sparking a direct confrontation between the Diocese of Ogbaru and the Nigerian Navy hierarchy.
In a strongly worded open letter obtained by this reporter, the Bishop of Ogbaru, Rt. Rev’d Prosper A. Amah (JP), has petitioned the Chief of Naval Staff, demanding immediate justice for what he described as the "unlawful brutalization of an innocent priest".
The Incident:
The harrowing encounter reportedly occurred on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM.
According to the petition, Revd. Agina was stopped at a naval checkpoint located at Okpotouno, in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The naval officer on duty allegedly accused the priest of making a phone call while passing through the checkpoint, a claim the Diocese vehemently refutes.
Bishop Amah stated that despite credible eyewitness accounts and the victim's own testimony confirming he was not on a call, the officer proceeded to subject the clergyman to "physical assault and inhumane treatment".
Most disturbingly, the Bishop noted that the priest identified himself "both in dressing and words," yet the assault continued.
Visual Evidence of Trauma
Photographic evidence accompanying the petition paints a grim picture of the encounter.
Images show Revd. Agina seated in a vehicle, his clerical collar still in place, but his white undershirt stained red with fresh blood.
Another image reveals the extent of the head trauma, showing a shaved portion of the priest's skull covered by a large medical dressing.
While the petition acknowledges that the priest was given first aid at a naval clinic following the beating, the Diocese insists that the initial act was a gross violation of fundamental human rights.
"Uniform Symbolizes Honor, Not Oppression"
Writing not just as a religious leader but as a voice for the oppressed, Bishop Amah reminded the Naval Command of their professional ethics.
"The uniform of the Nigerian Navy symbolizes honor, discipline, and service, not intimidation or oppression," the Bishop wrote.
He emphasized that while the church acknowledges the service of the military, "no circumstance justifies brutality, false accusation, or the dehumanization of any Nigerian citizen".
Five-Point Demand for Justice
To restore public confidence, the Diocese has placed five specific demands before the Chief of Naval Staff:
1. Independent Investigation: A thorough and transparent probe into the incident.
2. Accountability: Identification and appropriate disciplinary action against the officer involved.
3. Public Assurance: Official communication reassuring the family, the church, and the community.
4. Retraining: Measures to renew training on civilian-military relations and rules of engagement.
5. Compensation: Adequate compensation for the injured clergyman.
A Call to Conscience
The letter concludes with a poignant reminder to the Naval authorities: "Justice for one citizen is justice for all".
As a missionary and observer of social dynamics in our nation, one must ask: if a man of God, clearly identified in his vestments, can be battered so brazenly, what is the fate of the common man on the streets of Ogbaru? The ball is now in the court of the Nigerian Navy to prove that their personnel are protectors of the people, not their tormentors
