Monarch surrenders, Prof., six others wanted over soldiers’ killing.
The Delta State Police command has detained Clement Ikolo Ogenerukeywe, a traditional ruler, in connection with the recent killing of 17 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army. This incident occurred 15 days ago in the Okuama area.
According to Abaniwonda Olufemi, the State Police Commissioner, Oghenerukevwe, who holds the title of Urhukpe I of Emu Kingdom, voluntarily surrendered himself after being declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters. Additionally, seven other individuals were listed as wanted in connection with the incident.
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Among those wanted are a professor of Physics named Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Bakriri, Akevwru Omotegbo (also known as Amagben), Akata David, Sinclear Oliki, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.
Ogenerukeywe’s ascension to the throne was met with controversy, with protests from many Emu Kingdom indigenes who opposed his appointment. The protesters, mainly women, deemed the approval unacceptable and sacrilegious, arguing that Oghenerukevwe was not a native of the kingdom.
Ekpekpo Arthur serves as the President General of Ewu Kingdom and is recognized as a Professor of Solid State Physics. He holds membership in several professional associations, including the Nigeria Institute of Physics, Nigeria Association of Mathematical Physics, and Science Association of Nigeria (SAN).
The 17 Army personnel killed in the attack were given a national burial with full honours at the National Military Cemetery Abuja. President Bola Armed Tinubu, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, attended the ceremony and reiterated the importance of bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The Defence Media Operations Director, Major-General Edward Buba, released a banner containing the names and photographs of the wanted individuals to reporters in Abuja. He urged citizens to assist in locating and apprehending them, emphasizing the need for community involvement in maintaining security.
Buba also provided updates on other military operations, including the release of 313 suspected Boko Haram members due to lack of evidence and the successful rescue of 137 Kaduna schoolchildren and 16 kidnap victims in Sokoto. He highlighted the military’s commitment to securing the nation and protecting citizens against acts of terror.
Ali Ndume, the Senate Chief Whip, commended President Tinubu for attending the soldiers’ funeral and for providing support to their families. Additionally, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide urged the military to ensure that the manhunt for the suspected killers adhered to military rules of engagement to prevent harm to innocent civilians.
As investigations continue and efforts to apprehend the wanted individuals intensify, authorities are focused on bringing those responsible for the soldiers’ deaths to justice.
