THE Nigerian Army has released the monarch of the Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo, who was detained over the killing of 17 soldiers in his kingdom in Delta State on March 14.
The traditional ruler was earlier declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) alongside seven others for their alleged involvement in the killing of the soldiers in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
He was freed on Friday, April 19, after a briefing by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, at Army Headquarters in Abuja.
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The monarch was released in the presence of the Senator representing Delta North, Ede Dafianone, who acted as his surety.
The ICIR reported that the Delta State Police Command handed Oghenerukevwe to the military.
The state police public relations officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the development to newsmen on Friday, March 29.
The monarch surrendered himself to the police on Thursday, March 28, shortly after he was declared wanted by the military over the soldiers’ killing.
The monarch, while speaking with reporters before he turned himself in, denied allegations of being involved in the killing, noting that it was against his Catholic belief.
The ICIR reported that President Bola Tinubu awarded scholarships and houses to the slain soldiers’ children and families during their funeral at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
He vowed to ensure the soldiers’ killers were brought to justice.
The military authorities said the slain officers were on a peace mission to the warring towns of Okuama and Okoloba communities when they were attacked.
The ICIR, in an investigation published on Saturday, April 13, revealed the hidden truth that led to the soldiers’ death.
According to the report, a feud between an illegal oil bunker, Endurance Okodeh alias Amangbein and a sophisticated cartel of illegal oil bunkers led to the killing.
A reporter with the ICIR
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