Amaechi seeks probe as thugs attack convoy, ADC secretariat

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Armed thugs on Friday attacked the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, while he was on his way to register as a member of the African Democratic Congress in his Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

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Saturday PUNCH gathered that the gunmen attacked Amaechi’s convoy between Ubima and Omuanwa.

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Before Amaechi arrived in his community at around 12:15pm, suspected thugs had already mounted a roadblock, turning back buses identified as carrying ADC members.

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The thugs had on Thursday night set ablaze the ward office of the ADC in Ubima.

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The miscreants also shot sporadically into the community and riddled the gate of Amaechi’s family house with bullets.

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When the former governor was about to enter his community, the armed thugs opened fire on his convoy, but security operatives in his team engaged the attackers.

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It was gathered that the armed thugs fled as they could not withstand the firepower of Amaechi’s security details.

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The former minister thereafter proceeded with the registration, calling on hundreds of party members and supporters present to remain calm.

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He thanked the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their swift intervention during the attack on his convoy.

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Amaechi, who spoke after touring the burnt party office, said the security agencies showed professionalism in their response.

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He urged party members not to engage in violence, noting that it was the responsibility of the police to investigate, arrest and prosecute those behind the attacks.

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“I will thank the commissioner of police and the director of DSS. They showed a lot of professionalism immediately I made contact with them. 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.

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“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 said.

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Amaechi urged the state governor to make efforts to provide adequate security across the state to avert anarchy.

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He encouraged members of the party to commence massive mobilisation, adding that the ultimate target was the presidency.

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“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 themselves because they don’t want to die.

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“Our role is to remain calm and 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. A few people are stealing our money, and they say we should keep quiet.

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“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.”

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When contacted, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the attack on the ADC secretariat, promising that those behind the incident will be apprehended and made to face justice.

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Iringe-Koko said, “We received a report of a fire outbreak at the ADC secretariat in Ubima, Ikwerre local government area by some miscreants. The attention of the Area Commander was drawn and he went to visit the place. It was learnt to be a party office.

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“As of now the value of the damage is yet to be estimated. No life was lost, but some properties were damaged. Investigation is ongoing.”

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