The Nigerian Army has released Clement Ikolo, a traditional ruler in Delta State, who was arrested in connection to the murder of 17 army officers in Okuama community.

The officers lost their lives during a peacekeeping operation on March 14th. Ikolo's release came during a briefing by Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

The Defence Headquarters had previously declared Ikolo among eight individuals wanted in connection to the massacre. The monarch, maintaining his innocence, surrendered to authorities after releasing a statement asserting that his principles as a Catholic forbid taking lives. He urged the army to seek out the true perpetrators elsewhere.

Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central, stood as surety for Ikolo upon his release. Nwachukwu emphasized that Ikolo's release did not signify exoneration but was facilitated based on the senator's testimony to his character.