0
PORT HARCOURT – The Palace of the Gbenemene of Ancient Bangha Kingdom ruled by King Suanu Timothy Yormaadam Baridam, has reacted to a protest by women from Barasi-Taabaa Community in Rivers State over alleged police harassment and arrests linked to the investigation into the attempted assassination of the monarch.
The Palace said it was compelled to clarify the situation in order to counter what it described as misleading narratives circulating on social media and other platforms.
In a statement signed by the monarch’s Media Consultant, Dr. Dormene Mbea, the Palace clarified that it would ordinarily not respond to protesters but considered it necessary to address public concerns arising from the development.
The Palace described as curious the reaction of some individuals who appear uneasy whenever suspects linked to the attempted assassination are arrested and questioned by security agencies, questioning why lawful arrests and ongoing investigations would generate concern among certain persons.
It reaffirmed that investigations into the attempted assassination remain active, with security agencies having already made arrests in connection with the attack, adding that some suspects have reportedly made confessional statements that are assisting investigators in identifying other persons of interest.
According to Mbea, criminal investigations are strictly evidence-driven and not influenced by community affiliation, political considerations, or personal sentiments.
He maintained that any individual linked to the attempted murder of His Majesty, irrespective of origin or community, will be duly investigated and subjected to the rule of law.
The statement reads in part, “The Palace finds it curious that certain individuals have become apprehensive whenever suspects linked to the attempted assassination of His Majesty are arrested and interrogated by security agencies. We therefore ask a simple question: Why are some persons uncomfortable with the arrest of criminal suspects and the continuation of police investigations?
“Investigations into the attempted assassination of His Majesty are still ongoing. Security agencies have already made arrests in connection with the attack, and some of the suspects have reportedly made confessional statements that have assisted investigators in tracking other persons of interest.
“The Palace wishes to emphasize that criminal investigations are guided by evidence and intelligence, not by community affiliation, political considerations, or personal sentiments. It does not matter whether a suspect comes from Taabaa, Sogho, Okwale, or any other community. If evidence links any individual to the attempted murder of His Majesty, security agencies have a constitutional responsibility to investigate and take appropriate action.”
The Palace condemned attempts to depict lawful investigations as persecution or harassment, reiterating that the attack on His Majesty was a serious and coordinated violent assault aimed at taking the life of a prominent traditional ruler, stressing that it must be treated with the seriousness it warrants.
It also reassured the people of Taabaa that His Majesty has no conflict with them, noting that the Ancient Bangha Kingdom maintains long-standing and cordial relations with families, leaders, and residents of the community.
The palace stressed that the situation is not a communal dispute but a criminal investigation focused on identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the attempted assassination, emphasizing that law-abiding citizens have no reason for concern in the course of a legitimate investigation.
It called on stakeholders across Ogoniland to continue supporting security agencies and government institutions at all levels in the fight against crime, while encouraging anyone with useful information to report to the appropriate authorities.