Unknown Gunmen Open Fire On Amaechi’s Convoy In Rivers

Unknown gunmen, suspected to the political thugs yesterday opened fire on convoy of former minister of transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, near Ubima community in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State.

Amaechi was on his way from the Port Harcourt International Airport, to Ubima, his home-town, to formally register with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) when the incident occurred.

The ugly development came and hours after arsonists suspected to be political thugs razed the ward secretariat of ADC in Ubima community, while the gate of Amaechi’s family residence was reportedly riddled with bullets during the incident.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that suspected thugs had earlier mounted a roadblock on routes leading into Ubima, turning back vehicles believed to be conveying ADC members and supporters who were heading to the community for the exercise.

However, the armed group allegedly attempted to block his convoy from entering the town before security operatives attached to him confronted them.

It was reported that the attackers fled into nearby bushes after the security personnel responded with superior firepower.

Addressing a crowd of party supporters who had gathered for the e-registration exercise, Amaechi appealed for calm and urged members of the party to avoid retaliation.

He commended the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their swift response following 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,” Amaechi was quoted as saying.

“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 out, DSS came out.

“So we are grateful to them. I’m grateful to them, especially those of them who are here.”

Amaechi, who inspected the burnt party office during his visit, insisted that the security agencies must ensure that those responsible for the attack are identified and 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.

He also urged the Rivers State government to strengthen security across the state to prevent a breakdown of law and order.