... Petitions IGP
The Acting Chairman of Nyo-Khana Area Council of Traditional Rulers in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRH, Mene M.S.K Nule has accused the Gbenemene Bangha Kingdom, King Suanu Baridam of attempting to abduct him using suspected security officers in mufti.
Mene Nule who made the allegation via a petition by his lawyer, Barr. Chinwe Omodu and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu and other security agencies, said the incident occurred during a meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on 24th April, 2026, at about 1: 37 pm. He said while the meeting was ongoing, he stepped out to enter his car because of an emergency only to be accosted by the police officer attached to King Baridam, who directed him to go and meet unknown persons in a parked Sienna vehicle outside the Secretariat at Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
The monarch through his lawyer said the police officer threatened to arrest him if he refuses to go and meet the men on mufti inside the parked Sienna. Mene Nule said it took the intervention of the Council security rescue him.
He also said King Baridam later returned to the complex in company with the suspected security men in plain clothes.
Mene Nule recalled that he has not had any previous disagreement with King Baridam to warrant such attempt on his life, except his opposition to the installation of one Mr. Sunday Aweka as a chief in Barasi Taabaa Community.
The monarch further accused King Baridam of instigating violence in Nyo-Khana Kingdom through a post a allegedly made on the Nyo-Khana Stakeholders Platform and his installation of parallel chiefs in various communities in the area.
Mene Nule through the petition by his lawyer called on the Commissioner of Police to immediately investigate and arrest King Baridam and his cohorts for their nefarious activities and involvement in his attempted abduction on the 24th of April, 2026 at the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers Secretariat.
The according to the petition, the monarch called for, “The immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of the said HRM, King Suanu Baridam and his cohorts, in connection with the constant threat to assassinate and kidnap/abduct our client.
“That HRM, King Suanu Baridam should be subjected to thorough investigation of his crude and unwholesome activities in Taabaa Community and should be brought to book to face the law.
“A swift investigation into the nefarious activities of HRM, King Suanu Baridam who have constantly boasted that he will use his contacts in the Nigeria Police Force to oppress and suppress our client, ” .
The petitioner reiterated that King Baridam and his cohorts should be held responsible if Mene Nule is assassinated or abducted any day.
In a further interview, Mene Nule recalled his ordeal and that of his family members, wondering why he has been penciled down for such attacks.
“I and my family has paid dearly for choosing to be good. In September 19, 2014, my car, two cars belonging to my cousin, were burnt. In 2014, December 24, my brother, then Major Nule, a major in the Nigerian Army, was shot right in his house in the midst of his children. A soldier who came to his rescue was killed. In 2019, my entire family house, including my palace, were completely burnt down. And two houses belonging to my close neighbor, completely burnt down. A lot has happened to me. I have escaped assassination many times.
“Who is that person that holds the monopoly to be evil, the monopoly to be violent? Who is that person? What does Suanu Baridam want from me? This man called Baridam, what does this man want from me and my family?, he queried.
He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police not to take the allegations lightly as his life and that of his family members are now in danger.
When contacted, King Baridam refused to comment on the petition, urging the monarch to answer to his call before the security agencies.
