A traditional ruler identified as Clement Ikolo Ogenerukeywe, has been detained by the Delta State Police command in connection with the killing of 17 officers and soldiers of the Nigeria Army 15 days ago.
The state Police Commissioner Abaniwonda Olufemi said Oghenerukevwe, who is the Urhukpe I of Emu Kingdom, “turned himself in” shortly after the Defence Headquarters declared him and seven others wanted.
Okuama where the military men comprising a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain, and 13 soldiers were gruesomely killed, is a clan in Emu Kingdom
The other wanted persons include a professor of Physics, Ekpekpo Arthur; Andaowei Bakriri, Akevwru Omotegbo (a.k.a Amagben), Akata David, Sinclear Oliki, Reuben Baru and Igoli Ebi.
Defence Media Operations Director Edward Buba released a banner containing the names and photographs of the wanted persons to reporters in Abuja.
Buba, a major general, also gave insight into the release of 313 suspected Boko Haram members, the rescue of 137 Kuduna schoolchildren, and military operations in different parts of the country in the last 14 days.
Warning that the military would not allow the occurrence of the Okuama massacre of its men in any part of the country, the Defence Media Operations boss charged “elders and community leaders” to expose the wanted persons.
He said: “The banner of eight wanted persons involved with the killing, including a woman, is hereby released. Accordingly, it is necessary to state that citizens are our first line of intelligence and must rise to the occasion in honour of their nation
“The elders and community leaders have an obligation to expose these wanted persons but troops would continue with their efforts until the culprits are found, arrested, tried, and brought to justice.”
