Okuama Soldiers’ Killing: ‘I’m Here But Highly Embarrassed’ – Delta Monarch On Army Wanted List Turns Himself In To Police, Handed Over To Military

His Royal Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, the embattled traditional ruler (Ovie) of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta State, who was among those declared wanted by the military in connection to Okuama killings, has surrendered himself to the Delta State police command.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that the monarch who turned himself in on Thursday night, expressed how embarrassed he was over his listing as wanted person by the military over the reported killing in one of the communities in his Kingdom.

The monarch who had over time condemned the killing of soldiers and had intimated the state government over the crisis between Okuama and Okoloba before the dastardly Act, was received by the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, and was subsequently handed over to the Army authorities, on Friday.

Before he was handed over to the military , the traditional ruler while addressing newsmen at an undisclosed location, expressed his embarrassment and surprise at being included among the individuals wanted by the Defence Headquarters for the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama, Delta State.

He vehemently denied any involvement in the crime and called for an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the incident.

The monarch, who had been living in London before his coronation, presented himself to the authorities to prove his innocence and disassociate himself from the wanted persons.

Spokesman of the Delta State Police command, Bright Edafe, a Superintendent of Police SP, confirmed that the monarch surrendered to them and will be transferred to the military authorities for further investigation. He said, “he (Ewu monarch) turned himself in and we have handed over”.

Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South local government area, is one of the over 40 communities under the rulership of the monarch in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.

The monarch had been living in London, United Kingdom, before his selection and crowning as Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.

He was presented with a staff of office by Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in November last year and was purported to be away from his kingdom since his coronation ceremony following a legal tussle arising from his selection to the throne.