Senator Ede Dafinone, representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), for their roles in securing the release of His Royal Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, the revered monarch of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.
Following the distressing incident at Okuama community leading to the detention of King Clement Ikolo, Senator Ede Dafinone engaged tirelessly with relevant authorities to ensure that the monarch is released.
The Delta Central lawmaker in collaboration with his colleagues, Senators Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South) interfaced with the military authorities to ensure that the monarch was freed.
And following their interventions, the monarch was on Friday released to Senator Dafinone by the military authorities at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja at about 11am with an understanding that the Senator will make the monarch available should his attention be needed.
“Today, I commend the swift and decisive actions taken by President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff in addressing this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserved,” Dafinone stated.
In a statement, Senator Ede Dafinone remarked, “The release of His Royal Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, brings a sense of relief and reassurance to our community. I am deeply grateful to Mr President, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and the entire military leadership for their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.
“I also wish on behalf of the Urhobo nation to thank my colleague senators from Delta North, Senator Ned Nwoko and Delta South, Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas for their invaluable contributions to the release of our dear king.
“As a staunch advocate for justice and accountability, I pledge my continued support to the efforts aimed at uncovering the truth behind the unfortunate incident and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
He emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, security agencies, and community leaders to safeguard the peace and stability of the nation.
Senator Dafinone also extended his heartfelt appreciation to all individuals and organisations, particularly the media, who contributed to the resolution of the matter.
“I call for unity and solidarity among all Nigerians as we work together to overcome challenges and build a brighter future for our beloved country,” the federal lawmaker added.
