The President General of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta State, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, who was declared wanted by the Nigerian military over the gruesome murder of its 17 personnel in around the creeks in Okuama, has been reportedly arrested.
Prof. Ekpekpo, a lecturer with the Delta State University, Abraka and indigene of Okuama town in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, was among the persons declared wanted over their alleged connection in the killing of the soldiers.
He was reportedly arrested on Sunday in Sapele, Nigerian timber city, by men in military uniforms.
The Nigerian military had vowed to arrest the professor and others declared wanted for their roles in the unfortunate murder of the deceased 17 soldiers.
It was further gathered that four other persons, including two other prominent chiefs of the kingdom and indigenes of Okuama were equally picked by state agents in the early hours of on Monday.
Among those said to have been arrested by the military include Chief Belvis Adogbo and Chief Dennis Akugbaye.
They were said to have been arrested at different locations in the Ughelli and Udu areas of the state.
Several sources in the state have confirmed the arrest of the professor and other leaders of Okuama.
The arrest of the suspects had created massive apprehension among Okuama indigenes who are currently being camped at the Internally Displaced Persons site in Ewu town in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
The military has not officially confirmed the arrest of the President General of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom and other leaders of Okuama.
Recall that unknown gunmen had in March reportedly attacked and murdered 17 military personnel, including the four officers, while on “peace mission” over a land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities.
However, following the killing of the personnel, soldiers of the Nigerian military invaded and completely razed Okuama community in a reprisal attack.
Buildings, including hospital, schools, and other private buildings in the agrarian community, were destroyed and reduced to rubble.
Afterwards, the Nigerian military authorities subsequently declared the Ovie (King) of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oghenerukevwe Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1; President General of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Professor Ekpekpo and others wanted.
Ewu-Urhobo monarch, who had since turned himself in to the military, was detained for weeks, but was later released by the Defence Headquarters.
Meanwhile, effort to speak with the spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, on the arrest of the professor and others proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
