Police handover Okuama king, who surrendered himself to Army

Delta State Police Command has handed over the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe, who surrendered himself on Thursday after the Defense Headquarters, DHQ, declared him wanted over the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama, Delta State, to the Army in Asaba.

The monarch was declared wanted alongside the president general of Ewu Kingdom, Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, a militant leader, Amagbein, and six others.

Though the report was sketchy, it was learned that the monarch was handed over today (Friday morning) in Asaba.

The monarch held a press briefing where he declared his innocence before submitting himself to the police.

According to a statement by the traditional ruler in the briefing, “I am surprised that my name as the monarch of the kingdom will appear on the list of wanted persons.”

“I have no hand in the killings; I have no hand in encouraging anybody to kill anybody; it is against my philosophy as a human being and my faith as a Catholic.

“It is a serious crime against humanity, and they need to look at the appropriate places and do a thorough investigation to know all those who have committed this and bring them to book and let justice prevail.

“I am not a party to this, and as I said earlier, the state government is aware of the turbulence I have been going through. The state government planned to invite those fighting me to reconcile the differences and allow me to enter the kingdom and rule as the monarch.

“I have not been able to set up anything; I have not been able to set up my traditional council; I have done nothing in the kingdom.

“So, I barely know anything right now; I have no information; I know nothing; I am only in the process of setting up a structure to enable me to rule in the kingdom.”