Rejects “occupation army” and “genocide” labels as reckless, insists security firm protects communities including accusers
The Amanyanabo of the Source has categorically rejected allegations that he sponsors an “occupation army” or “terror squad” through Royal Fouche Security Services, popularly known as Amama Soldiers.
In a strongly worded statement issued by Alabo Daerefa-a Braide, Spokesman and Chief Press Secretary to the Amanyanabo, the palace dismissed a purported press release from the Udekama (Atala and Usokun) Council of Chiefs as inaccurate, inflammatory and unsupported by any judicial or police finding.
“The allegations, insinuations and descriptions contained in the said statement do not represent the position of the Amanyanabo of the Source, nor do they accurately portray the character, operations or mandate of Royal Fouche Security Services,” the statement declared.
Royal Fouche, the palace stressed, is a professional security company operating within the law. Attempts to brand it an “occupation army,” “terror squad” or tool of territorial expansion were rejected as “reckless” and “unsupported by any established judicial or law-enforcement finding.”
The Amanyanabo, described as a traditional ruler who consistently advocates peace and coexistence across Rivers State, has not authorised any land seizures, attacks on communities or interference with the Nigeria Police or other statutory agencies, the statement said.
It pointed to the Emohua/Kalabari Road as concrete proof of the firm’s value. Once a notorious crime hotspot where lives and property were lost daily, the route is now under round-the-clock security coverage provided by Royal Fouche at the instance of the Amanyanabo. Motorists, traders and residents—including people from Atala and Usokun—benefit from the safer movement, the palace noted.
“It is therefore difficult to reconcile the claim that the organisation exists principally to terrorise Udekama people with the reality that its security services also contribute to the protection of routes and communities used by them,” the statement said.
Land and boundary disputes, the palace emphasised, belong in the courts, not in ethnic confrontations or media campaigns. The Amanyanabo has no interest in violence or self-help and believes parties already before the courts should allow the judicial process to run its course.
On the most serious charge that Royal Fouche engages in “genocidal activities” the palace was blunt: such language should not be used casually against any organisation without compelling evidence and official findings.
Anyone with credible proof of criminal conduct should take it to the police and the courts rather than the press and social media.
“The Amanyanabo has nothing to fear from any lawful investigation,” the statement said. “Justice is best served by evidence, investigation and due process—not by sensational allegations in the media.”
The palace appealed to traditional rulers, chiefs, youth leaders and residents on all sides to drop inflammatory terms such as “genocide,” “terrorist attacks” and “territorial expansionist agenda.” Such rhetoric, it warned, risks inflaming passions and undermining the peaceful coexistence that has long existed among Rivers communities.
The statement added that the Amayanabo bears no ill-will toward the people of Atala and Usokun as they remain neighbours entitled to peace, security and lawful protection. At the same time, no community should level grave criminal accusations against another community, traditional institution or security firm without evidence.
