The Nigerian Army has announced the release of Clement Ikolo, a traditional ruler who was detained in connection to the murder of 17 officers during a peacekeeping operation.
TheCable reports that Ikolo was released on Friday during a briefing by Onyema Nwachukwu, director, army public relations, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Initially declared among eight individuals wanted by the Defence Headquarters in connection to the killings, Clement Ikolo surrendered himself to authorities after vehemently asserting his innocence in a public statement. The monarch, underscoring his Catholic faith and personal philosophy, vehemently denied any involvement in the tragic incident and urged the army to pursue alternative leads.
Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central, acted as a surety for Ikolo, facilitating his release. However, it’s imperative to note that the Army’s decision to release Ikolo does not equate to exoneration. Nwachukwu clarified that the release was facilitated based on Senator Dafinone’s testimony regarding Ikolo’s character.
Alongside Ikolo, others named as suspects in the investigation include Ekpekpo Arthur, a professor at Delta State University; Akeywiru Omotegbono; Andaowei Bakrikri; Igoli Ebi; Akata David; Sinclear Oliki, and Reuben Baru.
Following the tragic loss of the officers, President Bola Tinubu, along with the military high command, vowed to ensure that the perpetrators faced justice. However, with Ikolo’s release and ongoing investigations, the pursuit for accountability in this grave matter continues.