Army releases monarch arrested over Okuama killings

HRM Clement Ikolo, the monarch of the Okuama community in Delta State, has been released by the Nigerian Army after 22 days of incarceration.

Chronicle NG reports that following the killing of 17 military personnel in the community on March 14, 2024, the Defense Headquarters declared the monarch and seven others wanted for their alleged involvement in the crime.

Ikolo later surrendered to Nigerian police in Delta State and was transported to Abuja by the military for questioning.

The monarch spoke to Galaxy TV before turning himself in to the police on March 28, saying he was surprised to discover his name on the list of people declared wanted by the Defense Headquarters.

He said, “It is a shock to me because I have no hands in such things. I don’t believe in anything that has 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 stated that he received his staff of office on November 16, 2023.

However, on Friday, after 22 days in the military prison facility in Abuja, he was released to Senator Ede Dafianone, who served as a guarantor.

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