Members of the Traditional Council of Chiefs, Ewu-Urhobo in Delta State, are demanding the immediate release of the detained monarch of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo. They emphasized that the monarch has no involvement in the communal crisis that resulted in the recent killing of 17 military personnel in the Okuama community in the Ughelli Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement dated March 30 and made available to the Media on Tuesday, the council clarified that "His Majesty is in no way associated with the ongoing feud between Okoloba and Okuama communities, let alone the tragic killing of military personnel." Ikolo is among the eight individuals declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters in connection to the killing. He voluntarily surrendered to the Delta State Police Command after the publication and was subsequently handed over to the military.
The council expressed surprise at Ikolo's arrest, highlighting that since his ascension to the throne four months ago, he has been actively working to resolve the crisis that led to the tragedy. "Our monarch, His Royal Majesty Ovie Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, the Urhukpe 1, is a peace-loving man who has diligently sought to reconcile the factions within our kingdom," the statement affirmed. It further clarified that Ikolo has not visited Okuama community or Ewu, the kingdom's headquarters, for his royal duties.
While offering condolences to the military and the families of the slain officers, the council expressed hope that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
