Gunmen on Friday attacked the convoy of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, in and set ablaze the office of the in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Amaechi had travelled to his hometown for his e-registration as a member of the ADC when the incident occurred. Reports indicate that the attack happened along the Ubima–Omuanwa road in Ikwerre LGA before he arrived in the community.
Sources said suspected thugs had earlier mounted a roadblock, turning back buses believed to be conveying party members who were coming to witness the exercise. The attackers had also reportedly set the party’s ward office in Ubima on fire on Thursday night.
The gunmen, said to have arrived with heavy weapons, allegedly fired sporadically in the area and riddled the gate of Amaechi’s family residence with bullets in an attempt to stop his visit to the community.
However, when Amaechi eventually approached the area, the armed men reportedly blocked his convoy before security operatives attached to him engaged them. The attackers were said to have fled into nearby bushes after the security team responded with superior firepower.
Addressing supporters after inspecting the burnt party office, Amaechi called for calm and urged security agencies to ensure those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.
“I will thank the commissioner of police and the director of DSS. They showed a lot of professionalism immediately I made contact with them. In fact, I wasn’t expecting that kind of cooperation.”
“I thought they would be behind these criminals and not render support. But all of us will agree that the police came out, the NSCDC came, DSS came out. So we are grateful to them. I’m grateful to them, especially those of them who are here.”
He added, “But they must also know that this cannot continue. The way they will show us that this cannot continue is that they must prosecute those who are involved in this crime.”
Amaechi also urged the state government to strengthen security across Rivers State to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“I have been a governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people. The people will begin to protect their lives by themselves because they don’t want to die. But for now, everybody should calm down. Everybody should thank the Commissioner of Police. Everybody should thank the Director of SSS and the Commandant of NSCDC. Our role is to be calm, to be peaceful.”
“He further urged party members to mobilise ahead of future elections. “We are marching to Aso Rock. What they are doing is a distraction. What they are doing will not put food on your table. We are hungry. If you are not hungry, tell them I am hungry.”
“People are dropping dead every day because of hunger. And there are a few people who are stealing our money, and they say we should keep quiet. We can no longer keep quiet. ADC Rivers State, you must register en masse. You must make sure that we have enough members to surprise them. On election day, they will know whether we will vote or not.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, , said she would obtain details of the incident and revert but had yet to do so as of the time the report was filed.
THE SUN
