The wanted President General of Ewu Kingdom, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, has been arrested by men in military uniform at an undisclosed location in Sapele on Sunday night, with his whereabouts unknown.

Chief Belvis Adogbo and Dennis Akugbaye, two other leaders of Okuama, Vanguard source said, were also arrested Monday morning by armed men in plain clothes at various locations in Ughelli.

The arrest, according to an Okuama leader, who craved anonymity, may not be unconnected to the March incident, which led to the death of 17 military personnel.

The Okuama leader said they do not know why their leaders were being picked up by officials suspected to be Department of State Service, DSS, operatives.

The arrest is coming at a time peace was gradually returning to the troubled community as Delta State government was making plans to resettle the displaced people.

No official statement has been heard from security sources as a senior police officer said they were not aware of the development.

Recall that Okuama community was completely razed in March 2024, by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in a reprisal attack, following the killing of 17 military personnel by gunmen near the community.

Every building including hospital, schools and other private buildings in the agrarian community were uprooted and reduced to rubbles. (Vanguard)