The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has condemned the assassination attempt on Suanu T.Y. Baridam, the first-class monarch of Bangha in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The traditional ruler was reportedly attacked by gunmen on Sunday along the Ogoni axis of the East–West Road. As of Monday, the Rivers State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident.
In a statement, YEAC Executive Director Fyneface Dumnamene described the attack as a direct threat not only to the Bangha Kingdom but also to the wider Niger Delta region. “This is an affront to traditional institutions in Rivers State and a destabilising act capable of undermining peace in Ogoniland,” he said.
The group called for a thorough and transparent investigation, urging Rivers State Police Commissioner Olugbenga Adepoju to ensure the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice. YEAC also appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to guarantee the monarch’s security during recovery and strengthen protection for other traditional rulers and communities across the state.
YEAC-Nigeria stressed that safeguarding traditional institutions is vital for stability, community cohesion, and the preservation of cultural heritage in Rivers State.
