𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘂 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲, 𝗢𝗸𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

The Gbenemene of the Ancient Bangha Kingdom and Chairman of the Khana Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King (Dr.) Suanu Timothy Yormaadam Baridam, JP, has called on the people of Eleme and Okrika Local Government Areas of Rivers State to embrace peace and dialogue amid renewed tension over the lingering boundary dispute between the neighbouring communities.

In a statement issued on Friday, July 3, 2026, through his Media Consultant, Dr. Dormene Mbea, the traditional ruler condemned the recent violence that erupted in parts of both local government areas, stressing that the destruction of lives and property would only deepen the crisis.

King Baridam urged residents of Eleme and Okrika to remain calm and avoid actions capable of disrupting the longstanding peaceful relationship shared by the two communities.

He maintained that dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation remain the only sustainable solutions to the boundary dispute, insisting that violence can never bring lasting peace.

The monarch appealed to traditional rulers, the Chairmen of Eleme and Okrika Local Government Councils, members of the State and National Assemblies representing the affected areas, religious leaders and other critical stakeholders to immediately convene a peace and security meeting to address the crisis and find an amicable resolution.

He also called on security agencies to sustain efforts to maintain law and order in the affected communities, while urging the Rivers State Boundary Commission to urgently intervene and facilitate a permanent settlement of the boundary issues.

King Baridam further advised property developers, investors and prospective land buyers to ensure that all land transactions are conducted through recognised authorities and legitimate institutions, warning against dealing with unauthorised individuals or proxies.

The royal father equally urged residents to remain law-abiding and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, noting that Eleme and Okrika have coexisted peacefully for generations and should continue to strengthen their relationship through mutual respect and understanding.

He also cautioned community leaders against yielding to external influences from individuals seeking to exploit the dispute for personal gain, urging them instead to prioritise the collective interest of their people.

Expressing confidence that lasting peace is achievable, King Baridam said genuine dialogue, mutual understanding and the collective commitment of all stakeholders would restore harmony and preserve the longstanding bond between the two neighbouring communities.