The Delta State Police Command has handed over HRM Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe, the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, to the Army in Asaba. This comes after the Defense Headquarters declared him wanted in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama, Delta State.
The monarch surrendered himself on Thursday and was handed over to the Army on Friday morning in Asaba, the Delta State capital. Alongside the traditional ruler, the president general of Ewu Kingdom, Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, a militant leader known as Amagbein, and six others were also declared wanted in connection with the killings.
During a press briefing, the monarch expressed his surprise and declared his innocence, saying, “I am surprised that my name as the monarch of the kingdom will appear on the list of wanted persons. I have no hand in the killings; I have no hand in encouraging anybody to kill anybody; it is against my philosophy as a human being and my faith as a Catholic.”
He further added, “It is a serious crime against humanity, and they need to look at the appropriate places and do a thorough investigation to know all those who have committed this and bring them to book and let justice prevail. I am not a party to this, and as I said earlier, the state government is aware of the turbulence I have been going through. The state government planned to invite those fighting me to reconcile the differences and allow me to enter the kingdom and rule as the monarch.”
The Delta State Police Command, in collaboration with the Army, will now conduct a thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain the involvement of the traditional ruler and others in the killing of the 17 soldiers. The incident has caused unrest and tension in the Ewu Kingdom, and the authorities are working to ensure peace and justice prevail.
As the case unfolds, it is expected that further details will emerge regarding the motives behind the killings and the true identities of those involved. The government and security agencies are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore calm to the affected community.
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