Soldiers’ Killing: Wanted Delta Monarch Flown to Abuja for Interrogation

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The embattled Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, allegedly involved in the gruesome killing of 17 military officers in Okuama community under his kingdom, has been moved to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja for further interrogation.

The traditional ruler, who is one of the eight suspects declared wanted by the DHQ on Thursday, over alleged connection with the Okuama killings, had surrendered himself to the Delta State Police Command in Asaba on Thursday and was received by the Police Commissioner, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi.
The military authorities were notified and he was subsequently flown to Abuja yesterday morning.

It was learnt that the suspect was escorted to the Asaba Airport by the Commanding Officer, 63 Brigade Nigeria Army, Asaba, the Delta State Commissioner of Police and other senior military officers.
The Ewu-Urhobo monarch, accompanied by a combined team of military officers and the police, as well as personal aides, later boarded a commercial aircraft and the plane departed Asaba Airport at about 9:10am to Abuja.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Edafe Bright, who confirmed the development, said the suspect has been handed over to the military authorities for further investigation.

In response to a question, the PPRO said: “Yes, I can confirm to you that the wanted Traditional Ruler has been handed over to military authorities.He is no longer in our custody. The handover process was concluded this (Friday) morning.”

The traditional ruler had on Thursday surrendered himself to the Delta State Police Command.
Edafe, had confirmed that “he (Ewu monarch) turned himself in and we have handed him over.”

The monarch had been living in London, United Kingdom, before his recent selection and crowning as Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom and was presented with a staff of office by the Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, in November last year.
The monarch had not returned to his kingdom since his coronation ceremony over a legal tussle arising from his selection following the passage of the former traditional ruler.

Briefing journalists before surrendering himself to the Police, the monarch had denied any involvement in the killing of the 17 soldiers, comprising four senior officers and 13 soldiers of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
He had called on the federal and Delta State governments to constitute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the killing of the military personnel within the Okuama community of his kingdom.

Ikolo, further stated that he decided to present himself to the authorities to prove to the Nigerian government and the international community that he had no hand or connection with those who murdered the soldiers.
Okuama, an Urhobo community, is one of the over 40 communities under the rulership of the monarch in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.