Okuama Killings. Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe, the traditional ruler of the Ewu kingdom, voluntarily surrendered himself during the investigation into the Okuoma killings, where 17 military officers lost their lives in Delta State. The Nigerian Army has now released him.
At a brief ceremony held at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, handed him over to Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central.
General Nwachukwu stated that the Army meticulously reviewed all available information regarding the incident. While the traditional ruler’s culpability hasn’t been conclusively established, there is also insufficient evidence to exonerate anyone at this stage.
Due to the intervention of prominent figures and the monarch’s voluntary surrender, he was released to Senator Dafinone with the condition that he cooperates with ongoing investigations.
The Army, however, urged other suspects to present themselves for questioning.
The traditional ruler turned himself in shortly after the Defence Headquarters declared him and seven others wanted for their alleged involvement in the killing of 17 military personnel on a peacekeeping mission to Delta State in March. Among those wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (Aka Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.
