The Nigerian Army on Friday released Clement Ikolo, the monarch declared wanted over the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The army personnel were killed on March 14 during a peacekeeping operation in the community.
The Defence Headquarters had declared Ikolo among eight persons wanted in connection to the murder.
The monarch subsequently turned himself in after releasing a statement to plead his innocence.
Ikolo said taking lives is against his philosophy and faith as a Catholic, and urged the army to look elsewhere for the culprits.
My Onyema Nwachukwu, Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, a Major-General, specifically said although the army has not exonerated anybody regarding the incident, it decided to release the monarch after intervention of highly-placed personalities in the society and a painstaking review.
Others declared wanted over the murder are Ekpekpo Arthur, a professor of physics at the Delta State University; Akeywiru Omotegbono, Andaowei Bakrikri, Igoli Ebi, a lady; Akata David, Sinclear Oliki, and Reuben Baru.
After the declaration, the monarch, whom the incident happened in his domain, submitted himself to the police, who in turn handed him to the Army.
While handing over him to the Senator representing Delta Central at Army headquarters on Friday, Nwachukwu said the Senator testified to the decent character of the monarch.
