16 soldiers killed in Ughelli, King breaks silence 

The Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta State, HRM Clement O. Ikolo, has reacted to the crisis in his Kingdom.

It was reported that 16 soldiers and officers were killed in the Delta community on Thursday.

The victims included the commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers.

The troops were deployed to restore order between two warring communities: Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State, when they were murdered.

The Okuama coastal community where the killing of the soldiers took place was razed this weekend.

It is unclear if the military is responsible for burning down the houses, but some gun boats suspectedly belonging to the navy, were sighted behind the houses on fire in the coastal community.

Reacting to the development, the monarch said he learnt the issue between both communities had been settled.

He said: “What has happened is very sad news. First of all I would like to state clearly that when this whole crisis started between my community, Okuama and Okoloba, I was in the UK at the time; at some point early this year.

“I contacted the government regarding the crisis and the information they gave to me was that they had invited both parties to resolve the issue and that in fact it has been resolved. That’s just the summary of what I know regarding the crisis.

“It is a very sad time for our kingdom. These military men are people who are there to protect our nation, they should be held in high esteem. They are there to protect us from people who are there to invade or to commit enormous crimes.

“It is very sad that the same people who are there to protect us will be killed in the process. It is disheartening and I totally condemn it. May their souls and souls of the faithful depart through the mercy of God rest in peace,” he said.