ARMED men suspected to be political thugs on Friday attacked the convoy of former Rivers State governor and leader of the African Democratic Party (ADC) in the South-South, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the gunmen engaged security operatives attached to the former minister in a gun duel along the road between Ubima, Amaechi’s hometown, and Omuanwa community.
Amaechi had travelled to Ubima to participate in his electronic registration as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), an event expected to attract hundreds of party members and supporters from across the area.
Sources in the community said that hours before Amaechi arrived in Ubima around 12:15 p.m., suspected political thugs had already mounted a roadblock on the route leading to the town.
The attackers reportedly stopped vehicles and turned back buses identified as carrying ADC supporters heading to the community for the registration exercise.
Residents said the situation created tension in the area as party members struggled to reach the venue.
The attack followed an earlier incident on Thursday night when unknown persons reportedly set ablaze the ADC ward office in Ubima.
The destruction of the party office was seen by observers as an attempt to intimidate supporters ahead of Amaechi’s visit.
Community sources said the attackers arrived in the area heavily armed and fired sporadically into the air, creating panic among residents.
Witnesses also alleged that the gunmen riddled the gate of Amaechi’s family residence with bullets during the night attack.
When Amaechi eventually arrived with his convoy, the armed men reportedly attempted to block his entry into the community.
However, security personnel attached to the former governor quickly engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
According to eyewitness accounts, the security operatives eventually overwhelmed the assailants with superior firepower, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes.
No casualty figures were immediately available, but the incident heightened fears of rising political tension in the state.
Despite the attack, Amaechi proceeded with his planned activities and addressed hundreds of party members who gathered to witness his electronic registration into the ADC.
While speaking to supporters, the former Minister of Transportation urged party members to remain calm and avoid retaliatory violence.
He commended security agencies for their swift response, specifically thanking the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“I will thank the commissioner of police and the director of DSS. They showed a lot of professionalism immediately I made contact with them,” Amaechi said.
“In fact, I wasn’t expecting that kind of cooperation. I thought they would be behind these criminals and not render support. But the police came out, the NSCDC came out, and the DSS came out. So we are grateful to them.”
Amaechi insisted that security agencies must go beyond responding to the attack and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
He warned that continued attacks and intimidation could threaten the peace of the state if not properly addressed.
“But they must also know that this cannot continue,” he said.
“The way they will show us that this cannot continue is that they must prosecute those who are involved in this crime.”
The former governor also urged the Rivers State government to strengthen security across the state to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
According to him, when authorities fail to protect lives and property, citizens may be forced to take their safety into their own hands.
“I have been a governor and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people,” Amaechi said.
“The people will begin to protect their lives themselves because they don’t want to die.”
Amaechi encouraged ADC members in Rivers State to intensify grassroots mobilisation despite the intimidation they faced.
He said the party’s ultimate goal was to win power at the national level.
“Our role is to be calm, our role is to be peaceful,” he said.
“We are marching to Aso Rock. What they are doing is a distraction.”