Soldiers’ killings: Police hand over wanted Delta monarch to Army

• The monarch was declared wanted alongside the president general of Ewu Kingdom, Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, a militant leader, Amagbein, and six others

His royal majesty Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe has been handed over to the Army by the police in Delta State.

Oghenerukevwe is the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the oil-rich southern State,

Recall that the monarch turned himself in on Thursday after the Defense Headquarters declared him wanted over the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama area of the state.

The monarch was declared wanted alongside the president general of Ewu Kingdom, Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, a militant leader, Amagbein, and six others.

It was learned that the monarch was handed over today (Friday morning) in Asaba, Delta State capital.

The state police command public relations officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the development to newsmen.

The monarch held a press briefing where he declared his innocence before submitting himself to the police.

According to a statement by the traditional ruler in the briefing, “I am surprised that my name as the monarch of the kingdom will appear on the list of wanted persons.”

“I have no hand in the killings; I have no hand in encouraging anybody to kill anybody; it is against my philosophy as a human being and my faith as a Catholic.

“It is a serious crime against humanity, and they need to look at the appropriate places and do a thorough investigation to know all those who have committed this and bring them to book and let justice prevail.

“I am not a party to this, and as I said earlier, the state government is aware of the turbulence I have been going through. The state government planned to invite those fighting me to reconcile the differences and allow me to enter the kingdom and rule as the monarch.

“I have not been able to set up anything; I have not been able to set up my traditional council; I have done nothing in the kingdom.

“So, I barely know anything right now; I have no information; I know nothing; I am only in the process of setting up a structure to enable me to rule in the kingdom.”