The Army has released the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom, HRM Clement Ikolo, after holding him in custody for three weeks over the killing of 17 military personnel at Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, on March 14.The monarch was detained following the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama in Delta State.

INTEGRITY NEWS gathered that Senator Thomas Joel Onowakpo, on Wednesday, appealed for the release of the detained traditional ruler when he met with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, in Abuja.It would be recalled that the detained monarch was among the eight persons declared wanted by the military authorities.

This was following their alleged involvement in the March 14 tragic incident at Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area.

The monarch surrendered himself to the security authorities in Delta State before he was handed over to the military in Abuja.

Worried over his continued detention, some senators appealed for the release of the traditional ruler, saying “his continued detention risks exacerbating tensions within Delta.”

Senator Nwoko, who led the delegation, said he was deeply concerned about the Okuama tragedy and called for calm and cooperation from all quarters in unraveling and addressing the remote and immediate causes.

He noted that there were fruitful deliberations on other issues, such as the Onicha-Olona community incident in Aniocha North Local Government Area, where an illegal arms factory was discovered.

He requested further support as well as bringing attention to the underlying issues highlighted by this discovery.

Nwoko said there is a need to grow indigenous technologists and our technology sector, as well as the construction of new headquarters for the 63 Brigade in Delta State.
As a result of the Okuama tragedy, the military has not only occupied the community to recover missing weapons and arms, but they have also constituted a panel of inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing of the officers and soldiers, allegedly by some irate youths of the Okuama community.

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