Slain soldiers: Wanted monarch handed over to military, flown to Abuja

The police in Delta State have confirmed handing over a traditional ruler, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe, who was declared wanted by the military over the killing of 17 soldiers in the state.

The traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, surrendered himself on Thursday to the police in the state.

Our correspondent also learnt that the monarch has been flown to Abuja.

Recall that the monarch was declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters on Thursday alongside the President General of Ewu, Prof Ekpekpo Arthur, the alleged mother of one of the alleged perpetrators and five others over the killing of the 17 soldiers. 

When contacted for comments, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the report in a text message simply written “confirmed”.

Although details are scanty, Daily Trust Saturday gathered that the monarch was handed over on Friday morning in Asaba.

This newspaper reported earlier about the monarch’s press briefing where he declared his innocence before submitting himself to the police. 

He said, “I am very 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.”