Okuama and Okoloba communities had an ongoing feud, which in recent times escalated to a clash that led to the deaths of men of the Nigerian Army.
His Royal Majesty, Ovie Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, the Urhukpe 1, has been in detention since the communal crisis that resulted in the murder of seventeen military personnel in the Okuama community of the Ughelli Local Government Area of Delta State. After the bloodbath, Ovie Ikolo made it to the list of one of the persons enlisted by the Defence Headquarters as an accomplice.
In his defence, the people and Members of the Traditional Council of Chiefs, Ewu-Urhobo, claimed not guilty after handing him over to the police, who in turn, moved him to the military. Ever since he came to power four months ago, the pacifist king, Ovie Clement Oghenerukevwe lkolo, the Urhukpe 1, as described by them, has worked tirelessly to bring our kingdom’s various factions together. He has not visited the Okuama community or Ewu, our country’s capital, while performing his royal duties.
They also described the monarch as the one who, since his ascension, has stretched his pacifism to resolve the conflict. Therefore, they are calling on the Nigerian military to properly investigate and bring the culprits to justice.
By Chidimma NWAFOR
