The Nigerian Army has released Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe, the traditional ruler of the Ewu kingdom, who surrendered during investigations into the killings of 17 military officers in Okuoma, Delta State.
At a brief ceremony at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, turned him over to Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central.
General Nwachukwu explained that the Army has painstakingly reviewed all available information on the incident and has concluded that, while culpability has not been conclusively established against the traditional ruler, there is insufficient evidence to exonerate anyone at this time.
He stated that, as a result of the intervention of prominent figures and the monarch’s voluntary surrender, he has released Senator Dafinone on the condition that he always help in the ongoing investigations.
However, the Army urged other suspects to come forward for questioning.
The monarch turned himself in hours after the Defence Headquarters declared him and seven other persons wanted over their alleged roles in the recent killing of 17 military personnel on a peace-keeping mission to Delta State in March.
Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (Aka Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki; a traditional ruler, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukeywe; Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.
Recall that on March 14, 17 military personnel were gruesomely murdered in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area in Delta State.
The Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers of the battalion were among those killed.
The soldiers had “responded to a distress call” following trouble between the Okuama and Okoloba communities.
They were said to have been ambushed by irate youths during a communal clash over a dispute between Bomadi and Okuoma communities in the state.
The mutilated corpses of the slain soldiers were later recovered from neighbouring rivers. President Bola Tinubu was present as the 17 murdered military personnel were buried at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on March 27.