By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Nigerian Army on Friday released the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom, HRH Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe, who surrendered himself to the authorities, following the killing of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army in his domain.
King Oghenerukvwe, was handed over to the Senator representing Delta Central, Sen. Ede Dafinone, during a press briefing at Army Headquarters in Abuja.
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Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who spoke for the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said: “Following the gruesome and reprehensible killing of 17 NA personnel in the Okuama community of Delta State on 14 Mar 24, a manhunt was launched for those suspected to have perpetrated, directed, supported, or knew about the incident with a view to bringing those culpable to justice. In this light, HRH Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe the King of Ewu Kingdom, in whose domain the dastardly act took place, surrendered to the NP, who in turn handed him over to the NA”.
The Army Chief noted that since his surrender, the Nigerian Army has painstakingly reviewed every available information on the incident and has come to some preliminary observations and inferences, one of which is that, while culpability has not been conclusively established against the traditional ruler, there is insufficient evidence, to exonerate anyone at this stage.
“Nevertheless, on the intervention of Distinguished Senator Dafinone, representing Delta Central, and his vouching for the monarch’s character, and the fact that the monarch voluntarily turned himself in, for questioning, it has been decided that His Highness be released to the Distinguished Senator, who has agreed to act as surety for his release on the condition that be will always assist the NA and other agencies of government investigating the Okuama killing incident to have access to the monarch whenever needed.
“The NA hereby releases the HRH Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe the king of Ewu kingdom to Distinguished Senator Dafinone representing Delta Central as a responsible national political figure.
Members of the public and international community are to note that the release of the traditional ruler speaks to NA’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and justice,” Gen Lagbaja said.
He concluded that the NA, by this gesture, encourages others to make themselves available for questioning and that they are guaranteed fair and decent treatment and will be strictly subjected to constitutional provisions for handling such cases if found culpable.
While expressing appreciation to those who stood by him during his brief detention in military facility in Abuja, the Delta monarch, HRH Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe, promised to cooperate with the Nigerian Army to get to root of the matter.
The Senator representing Delta Central, Sen Ede Dafinone, commended the Nigerian Army for being professional in handling the matter.
