The senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly (NASS), Sen. Ned Nwoko, has met with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, to seek the release of the traditional ruler of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1 in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
The embattled monarch, who handed himself over to the authorities, first to the police in the state before he was transferred to the military, was detained following the alleged killing of 17 soldiers around Okuama community.
The detained monarch was among the eight persons declared wanted by the military for their alleged involvement in the March 14 tragic incident in Okuama.
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Moved by the plight of the traditional ruler and the need for lasting peace in the affected community, Senator Ned Nwoko accompanied by his counterparts from Delta South Senatorial District, Senator Joel Thomas Onowakpor and Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, appealed for the release of the traditional ruler as “his continued detention risks exacerbating tensions within Delta”.
Sen. Nwoko said he was deeply concerned about the Okuama tragedy and called for calm and cooperation from all quarters in 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, appreciation and request for further support as well as “bringing attention to the underlying issue highlighted by this discovery – the need to grow indigenous technologists and our technology sector; as well as the construction of new headquarters for the 63 Brigade in Delta state”.
The military has since constituted a panel of inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing of the soldiers allegedly by some youths in Okuama community, a gruesome incident that led to the sacking of the Delta community, reportedly by security forces.