The Nigerian military on Friday released the detained traditional ruler of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, who has been in military custody over the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area in Delta State.
The royal father, along other seven, had earlier been declared wanted by the military over their alleged involvement in the killing of the 17 military personnel including lieutenant colonel, two majors and a captain.
Following his declaration as a wanted suspect in the incident, the revered monarch turned himself in to the Commissioner of Police in Delta State whom later handed him over to the military before being moved to the Defence Headquarters where he had been facing interrogation.
Okuama, where the killing of the military personnel took place, is one of the many communities that made up Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta State.
The monarch was handed over to the senator representing Delta Central on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ede Dafinone at the Nigerian Army headquarters in Abuja.
His release followed the directive of the chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja has ordered that monarch been released.
The COAS said the decision was taken after due investigation which revealed that there are insufficient evidence to indict the Urhobo monarch.
The Director of Army Public Relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who released the monarch on behalf of the chief of Army Staff, said he was released to the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Ede Dafinone based on the intervention of both the Governor of Delta state and other state officials.
