***Says Assassination Attempt Investigation Must Continue
PORT HARCOURT – The Palace of the Gbenemene of Ancient Bangha Kingdom, ruled by King Suanu Timothy Yormaadam Baridam, has defended ongoing police investigations into the attempted assassination of the monarch, following protests by women from Barasi-Taabaa Community over alleged harassment and arrests by security operatives.
The Palace said it was forced to respond in order to correct what it described as false and misleading narratives being circulated on social media and other public platforms regarding the investigation.
In a statement signed by the monarch’s Media Consultant, Dr. Dormene Mbea, the Palace said it would ordinarily not react to protests but deemed it necessary to clarify issues surrounding the matter.
The Palace questioned why some individuals appeared uncomfortable whenever suspects linked to the assassination attempt were arrested and interrogated by security agencies.
“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?” the statement said.
According to the Palace, investigations into the attack on the monarch are still ongoing, with several arrests already made. It added that some suspects have reportedly made confessional statements that are helping investigators identify and track other persons of interest.
Dr. Mbea stressed that criminal investigations are guided strictly by evidence and intelligence, not by community affiliation, political interests 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,” he stated.
The Palace condemned efforts to portray legitimate investigations as persecution or harassment, insisting that the attack on the monarch was a grave criminal act that should not be trivialised.
It described the incident as a coordinated and violent attempt to eliminate a prominent traditional ruler, stressing that those responsible must be identified and brought to justice.
The Palace also reassured residents of Taabaa Community that His Majesty harbours no grievance against them, noting that the Ancient Bangha Kingdom has maintained cordial and longstanding relationships with the people of the community.
According to the statement, the issue should not be viewed as a communal conflict but as a criminal investigation aimed solely at uncovering those behind the assassination attempt.
The Palace further urged stakeholders across Ogoniland to continue supporting security agencies in their efforts to combat crime and maintain peace in the area.
It also encouraged members of the public with useful information about the attack to cooperate with investigators and assist efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Palace maintained that law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear from a lawful and transparent investigation.
