Tension In Rivers As Gunmen Target Amaechi’s Convoy
•By Admin
PORT HARCOURT – TENSION gripped parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday after suspected armed thugs attacked the convoy of former Rivers State governor and South-South leader of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Chibuike Amaechi.
The gunmen reportedly ambushed Amaechi’s convoy along the Ubima–Omuanwa road as the former Minister of Transportation travelled to his hometown, Ubima, for his e-registration as a member of the African Democratic Party.
It was gathered that the assailants had earlier mounted a roadblock along the route, turning back buses conveying ADC supporters who were heading to Ubima to witness the registration exercise.
Residents also alleged that the suspected thugs had, on Thursday night, set ablaze the ADC ward office in Ubima, Amaechi’s hometown, heightening tension ahead of his visit.
The attackers, said to be heavily armed, reportedly fired repeatedly into the air and riddled the gate of Amaechi’s family residence with bullets in an apparent attempt to disrupt the visit.
However, security operatives attached to the former governor’s convoy engaged the gunmen in a brief exchange, forcing the attackers to retreat into nearby bushes.
Amaechi later defied the attack and threats to address hundreds of party supporters who gathered for the e-registration exercise, urging them to remain calm and avoid retaliation.
He commended the swift response of security agencies, particularly the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Amaechi, who also inspected the burnt ADC ward office in the community, praised the professionalism displayed by the security agencies in handling the situation.
He further urged party members to shun violence and allow the security agencies to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
He said, “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 and DSS came out. So we are grateful to them. I’m grateful to them, especially those of them who are here.
“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 added.
The former minister urged the governor of the state to make efforts to provide adequate security in all parts of the state, to avert anarchy.
He encouraged members of his party to commence massive mobilisation, adding that the target is presidency.
He said, “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 come 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, is to be peaceful. 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’s 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 mass.You must make sure that we have enough members to surprise them. On election day, they will know whether we will vote or not.”
•INDEPENDENTNG.