Nigerian Army Releases Traditional Ruler Amid Investigation into Killing of 17 Soldiers

The Nigerian Army has released Clement Ikolo, the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Delta State, who was detained in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community on March 14, 2024. Ikolo surrendered himself to authorities after being declared wanted along with seven other suspects for their alleged involvement in the gruesome attack.

The soldiers were reportedly on a peacekeeping mission in the area when they were ambushed by armed youths and suspected oil bunkers. The incident has raised questions about the military's presence and motives in the oil-rich region, where illegal bunkering activities are rampant.

According to the Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, while there is insufficient evidence at this stage to conclusively establish Ikolo's culpability, he has not been fully exonerated. "The release of the traditional ruler does not amount to exoneration from the ongoing investigation," Nwachukwu stated during a briefing at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Ikolo was released on bail to Senator Ede Dafinone, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District and vouched for the monarch's character. The traditional ruler has denied any involvement in the killings, claiming that taking lives goes against his philosophy and faith as a Catholic.

The Army has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and is continuing its manhunt for the other suspects, including Ekpekpo Arthur, Akeywiru Omotegbono, Andaowei Bakrikri, Igoli Ebi, Akata David, Sinclear Oliki, and Reuben Baru. President Bola Tinubu has also promised that the killers will face the full weight of the law.

Why this matters: The killing of the soldiers has highlighted the security challenges in the Niger Delta region, where oil theft and illegal bunkering have long been a problem. The incident has also raised concerns about the military's approach to dealing with local communities and the need for a more nuanced strategy that addresses the root causes of the conflict.

Meanwhile, residents of Okuama Ewu community have filed a N200 billion lawsuit against the Nigerian Army, alleging that soldiers cordoned off their community, destroyed homes, and violated their fundamental human rights in the aftermath of the killings. The Army has occupied the community to recover missing weapons and arms, and a panel of inquiry has been constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Key Takeaways

• Nigerian Army releases traditional ruler Clement Ikolo detained for 17 soldiers' killing
• Soldiers were on peacekeeping mission when ambushed by armed youths and suspected oil bunkers
• Ikolo released on bail, denies involvement; Army continues manhunt for other suspects
• Residents file $200B lawsuit against Army for rights violations after the killings
• Incident highlights security challenges in Niger Delta due to oil theft and bunkering