Sources have disclosed that the Defence Headquarters is yet to free the traditional ruler of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, who was detained by the military over the killing of soldiers around Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
The monarch was reported to have been released on Monday morning after spending over two weeks in military detention where he was interrogated on his alleged involvement in the killing of the military personnel.
However, sources have confirmed that the royal father was yet to be released.
“The wife of the monarch is not aware that they have released him. So, it cannot be true the monarch has been released,” one of the sources said.
Recall that the Delta monarch turned himself in after the Defence Headquarters declared him and seven others wanted over their alleged involvement in the gruesome killing of the military personnel of the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi by unknown gunmen.
He was immediately whisked away to Abuja after the State Commissioner of Police handed him over to the military in Asaba. The monarch since then had remained incommunicado at the Defence Headquarters.
Meanwhile, the Military Board of Inquiry constituted by the Defence Headquarters to investigate the 17 soldiers killed in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta, has commenced sitting.
The panel convened last Wednesday at the Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
The Okuama Community was, however, not represented.
The Director-General, Political and Security Services in Delta, Mr David Tonwe, who ushered the Okoloba stakeholders into the meeting room, however, told newsmen they were not permitted to be part of the meeting.
Recall that the slain soldiers, made up of a Commanding Officer, two Majors, a Captain, and 13 others, were said to have been ambushed and murdered on March 14.
They were said to have been responding to the crisis between Okoloba and Okuama communities who had allegedly been engaged in an aged-long land dispute.
Details later…