Clement Ikolo, the king of Ewu Kingdom who is among the eight suspects declared wanted by Nigeria Army Defence Headquarters on thursday turned himself in to the authorities by going to the state police command.
The police spokesman in the state, Bright Edafe confirmed that the monarch was in custody as of Thursday evening.
Before turning himself in, the monarch spoke to Galaxy TV, and insisted on his innocence in the killing of the 17 soldiers in Okuama on March 14.
He said, “It is a shock to me because I have no hands in such things. I don’t believe in anything that has got to do with truncating the lives of human beings.”
“I am not in any way shape or form connected to this. Let it be stated clearly here that I haven’t been able to access the kingdom even as a monarch till date.”
The monarch said he received his staff of office on November 16, 2023.
The Delta State Police Command also confirmed to Channels TV that the monarch was in their custody.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters on Thursday morning declared eight people wanted over the gruesome killing of 17 military personnel in Delta State on March 14, 2024.
This was announced in a circular issued by the Defence Headquarters via its verified social media platforms which identified the suspects as follows:
- Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (a.k.a Amagbem,
- 2. Prof. Εkpekpo Arthur,
- 3. Andaowei Dennis Bakriri,
- Igoli Ebi,
- Akata Malawa David,
- Sinclear Oliki,
- Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe and
- Reuben Baru.
The images contained in the circular show that seven out of the suspects are men with only one woman.
Meanwhile, the deceased 17 soldiers were buried in National Military Cemetery Abuja on Wednesday 27th of March.
President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, service chef and other dignitaries were present at the burial ceremony
The President also announced the provision of housing facilities for the surviving family members and scholarships for all their children, up to the university level.
He also directed the payment of death benefits to the family members within 90 days.
