Urhobo traditional rulers seek independent probe of Okuama killings

Monarchs, under the aegis of the Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers (Ukoko r’ Ivie r’ Urhobo) of Delta, have called for the setting up of an independent investigative enquiry into the immediate and remote causes of the Okuama-military incident as well as the immediate return of exiled folks to their ancestral home.

The chairman of the council and king of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso and HRM Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle Okorefe 1, Ovie Agbarha-Otor Kingdom and Secretary, Ukokar Ivie r’ Urhobo, signed the resolution on behalf of other Urhobo monarchs.

The resolution was arrived at during the visit of the representatives of Ewu, Okparagbe, and Arhavwarien Kingdoms of Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state on a ‘Save our Soul’ visit to HRM Sideso.

During the visit, the representatives narrated the sufferings, attacks, arson, and deaths experienced by the people of Okuama community and other neighbouring communities.

He also added that the people of Okuama community were worried about the king of Ewu Kingdom, HRM Clement Ikolo, who was declared wanted and subsequently arrested by the Nigerian Army over the killing of the 17 soldiers in the community and that he was innocent of the crime.

Recall that HRM Clement Ikolo surrendered himself to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, and was handed over to the Nigerian Army authorities on Thursday, March 28, 2024, who then whisked him to Abuja for interrogation.

In the resolution, the traditional rulers commiserated with the deceased soldiers while calling for a thorough investigation of the incident.

“The representatives under reference narrated sufferings, attacks, arson, deaths etc, by the people of Okuama Community and other neighbouring communities. They could no longer sleep with their eyes closed.

“They are worried that HRM Ovie of Ewu Kingdom was declared wanted by the Nigerian Army and subsequently surrendered himself to the Commissioner of Police Delta State and then handed over to the Nigerian Army Authority. They believed in the innocence of the King.

“After listening to pleas from the representatives, the Council resolved as follows:

“The Ukoko r’ Ivie Urhobo (Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers) restated their call for the setting up of an independent investigative enquiry into the immediate and remote causes of the Okuama-military incident as this is the only way the truth can be revealed and avoid future incidence.

“That the good people of Ewu Kingdom should remain calm and law-abiding as the Council will ensure that no innocent person suffers unjustly.

“The Council once more commiserate with the families of the slain soldiers and the Nigerian Army authority.

“The Council is deeply touched by the pains suffered by innocent citizens of the Okuama and neighbouring communities and commiserates with the families of those who lost their loved ones.

“The Council also appeal to the Federal Government to allow the Okuama people to return to their ancestral home to reduce the sufferings of the innocent aged people and children,” the statement read in part.