Army releases Delta traditional ruler declared wanted over Okuama killings

The Nigerian Army has released a traditional ruler in Delta state, Clement Ikolo, who was arrested over the gruesome murder of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024.

Ikolo was released on Friday during a briefing by Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

The traditional ruler was released to Ede Dafinone, Senator representing Delta Central, who stood as surety.

The army personnel were killed on March 14 during a peacekeeping operation in the community.

The Defence Headquarters had declared Ikolo among eight persons wanted in connection to the murder.

The traditional ruler subsequently turned himself in after releasing a statement to plead his innocence.

Ikolo said taking lives is against his philosophy and faith as a Catholic, and urged the army to look elsewhere for the culprits.