The Nigerian army has revealed how the names of the traditional ruler of Ewu kingdom, HRM Clement Ikolo, the university professor, Arthur Ekpokpo, and other six persons found their way into the list of the eight persons declared wanted by the army over the killing of 17 soldiers around Okuama, a community in Ughelli south local government area of Delta state.
In a media chat with journalists after the Nigeria Army-Civil Military Cooperation event held in Asaba on Wednesday, the military authorities addressed media executives present on several issues, with Okuama killings taking the centre stage. Okuama, an agrarian community nestled in Ughelli south has been in the news for the very wrong reasons and has trended for almost a month.
Few days after the unfortunate incident, names of eight suspects were declared wanted by defense headquarters. One of which is Clement Ikolo, the traditional ruler of Ewu kingdom and one Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, a university lecturer. Prior to the meeting with the soldiers in Asaba, many had demanded to know how the names of these persons found their way into the list of persons declared wanted by the army.
Specifically, a human rights activist, Prince Dr. Kehinde Taiga, had demanded the army to reveal to Nigerians how they came about the names of the eight persons with special emphasis on the traditional ruler and the university professor. He said it is incumbent on the Nigerian army to make public their findings and also let Nigerians know how the names emerged.
In the event which held in Asaba, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, chief of civil military affairs of the Nigerian Army told journalists that the names emerged through investigation.
When asked to explain how they got the names, he said: “How we came by the names of the eight persons declared wanted. Tomorrow we may see other names. There are investigations ongoing. As investigations unfold, new facts will emerge and new people might be called for questioning.”
According to him, the names of the eight persons emerged through investigations conducted by the army, though he did not reveal other details.
He also gave reasons why people are being prevented from entering the community. He told journalists that Okuama is presently a crime scene and until investigations are completed, no one will be allowed into the community. His reason is to avoid interference with ongoing investigations.
He said: “Arrests will continually be made on Okuama matter. This issue is under investigation. Our equipment, arms and ammunition, we are still searching for them. We have gotten some, we have not gotten others. So, the search continues.
“The place is a crime scene. Investigation has not been concluded. I don’t think it will be appropriate for anybody to go there and interfere with investigations.
“The traditional ruler is safe. They are still questioning him. He is still under investigation. Every other issue around Okuama community is under investigation. I assure you that at the end of the investigation, these things will be brought to your knowledge.
“And for those saying the investigation is a police affair, look, the commander is just a military man. There are other components. There are army personnel within the operation Delta Safe. There is also a police component. There are people from DSS, NIA and every security agency in Nigeria. So, it’s a robust structure. At the fullness of time, everything will unfold.”
