- Gunmen attacked the convoy of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, during his visit to Ubima in Rivers State
- The attack occurred as Amaechi returned to his hometown for his e-registration with the African Democratic Congress
- The ward office of the African Democratic Congress in Ubima was earlier set ablaze by suspected hoodlums on Thursday night
Gunmen on Friday, March 6, attacked the convoy of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and set ablaze the office of the African Democratic Congress in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Amaechi subsequently called on security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack, which occurred as he visited his hometown for his electronic registration as a member of the party.
According to reports, the incident took place along the Ubima–Omuanwa road in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where gunmen targeted the convoy of the former governor of Rivers State.
Sources said Amaechi was scheduled to arrive in Ubima for the registration exercise around 12:15 p.m. However, before his arrival, suspected thugs had already mounted a roadblock in the area, preventing buses believed to be transporting ADC members from reaching the venue.
The situation escalated further after the attackers allegedly set fire to the ADC ward office in Ubima, Amaechi’s hometown, late Thursday night.
Residents reported that the armed men invaded the community carrying heavy weapons in what appeared to be an attempt to stop the former governor’s visit. They reportedly fired sporadically into the air and shot at the gate of Amaechi’s family residence, leaving visible bullet marks.
Despite the tense situation, Amaechi eventually arrived in the community. As his convoy attempted to enter, the gunmen allegedly blocked the route. Security operatives accompanying the former minister engaged the attackers, who later fled into nearby bushes after being overpowered.
Speaking to hundreds of party members and supporters who gathered for the e-registration exercise, Amaechi urged calm and appealed to party members not to retaliate.
He also commended the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for responding promptly after he alerted them to the attack.
“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,” Amaechi stated.
After inspecting the burnt party office, he said security agencies must go further by ensuring that those responsible for the violence are prosecuted.
“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,” he added.
Amaechi also called on the Rivers State government to strengthen security across the 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. 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.”
Meanwhile, when contacted for comments, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she would gather details about the incident and respond to inquiries.
However, she had yet to provide an update as of the time this report was filed on Friday afternoon.