Okuama Killing: Nigerian Army releases detained traditional ruler

The Nigerian Army on Friday released the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo, who had been in detention following the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community in Delta on March 14, 2024.

Penpushing reports that it is recalled that the monarch earlier declared wanted alongside seven other suspects by the army, in connection with the killing, however, surrendered himself to the authority

The royal who regained freedom was handed over to the Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, who told journalists that the army authorities decided to release the royal father on bail to the senator after a preliminary investigation.

Penpushing further reports that the army spokesperson said that while there was no sufficient evidence of the traditional ruler’s culpability, it was also too early to exonerate anyone from the dastardly act, adding that the manhunt for those who perpetrated the crime directly, supported or knew about it, was ongoing.

The army image maker stated that the traditional ruler in whose domain the dastardly act took place, surrendered to the Nigeria Police Force, who in turn handed him over to the Nigerian Army.

‘Since his surrender, the Nigerian Army has painstakingly reviewed every available information on the incident and has come to some preliminary observations and inferences. One of which is that, while culpability has not been conclusively established against the traditional ruler, there is insufficient evidence, to exonerate anyone at this stage’, he said.

‘Nevertheless, on the intervention of distinguished Senator Dafinone, representing Delta Central, and his vouching for the monarch’s character, and the fact that the monarch voluntarily turned himself in for questioning, it has been decided that His Highness be released to the Senator.’

“He has agreed to act as surety for his release on the condition that he will always assist the army and other agencies of government investigating the Okuama killing incident, to have access to the monarch whenever needed.”

Penpushing also reports that Nwachukwu explained that the release of the traditional ruler was in line with the army’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and justice, and encouraged others declared wanted to make themselves available for questioning, assuring that they would receive fair and decent treatment.

The army spokesman in the same vein assured that anyone found culpable would be strictly subjected to constitutional provisions for handling such cases, and in response, the traditional ruler thanked God, Delta State Governor and members of the National Assembly from the state for their support.

Penpushing reports that the monarch narrating his experience while in detention said that the army accorded him fair treatment, and he was kept in a decent facility, just as he promised to support and cooperate with the army to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book.

The senator, who received the traditional ruler, on his part, commended the Nigerian Army for exhibiting a high level of professionalism in the handling of the crisis and attested that the traditional ruler was treated with dignity.

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