Suspected gunmen on Friday reportedly attacked the convoy of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, shortly after he arrived to register as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Witnesses said sporadic gunshots rang out in parts of Ubima community as the former Rivers State governor’s convoy approached the venue of the registration exercise.
The incident caused panic among residents and party supporters who had gathered for the event.
Security operatives swiftly intervened and restored calm in the area, preventing the situation from escalating further.
Despite the attack, Amaechi proceeded with the registration exercise in his hometown and later addressed supporters and residents.
The Rivers State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Speaking after the event, the former governor condemned the attack but praised security agencies for their prompt response and professionalism in managing the situation.
Amaechi commended operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for acting swiftly to stabilise the situation.
“I want to commend the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the DSS for their cooperation. They showed a lot of professionalism. Immediately I made contact with them, they responded. In fact, I wasn’t expecting that level of cooperation,” he said.
“All of us will agree that the police came out, the NSCDC came out, and the DSS also came out. We are grateful to them.”
However, he insisted that those responsible for the attack must be identified and prosecuted to deter future occurrences.
“They must show that this will not continue by prosecuting those involved in this crime. I have been a governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people.
“When people feel unprotected, they may begin to defend themselves because they don’t want to die,” Amaechi stated.
He also urged residents and his supporters to remain calm and avoid actions that could heighten tensions in the community.
“For now, everybody should calm down and remain peaceful. We should thank the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS, and the Commandant of the NSCDC. Our goal is to remain calm and peaceful,” he said.
Amaechi also used the occasion to criticise the current economic situation in the country, saying widespread hardship and hunger have pushed citizens to demand greater accountability from those in power.
“We are marching to Aso Rock. What I do may not put food on your table, but the truth is that we are hungry. If you are not hungry, tell them that I am hungry.
“People are dying every day because of hunger, yet a few individuals are stealing our money and expect us to keep quiet. We can no longer keep quiet,” he added.
The former minister further urged members and supporters of the ADC to mobilise and register in large numbers ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the strength of the party would depend largely on its membership base.
“The more we are, the more difficult it will be for them to intimidate us. Let the people choose who they want. What democracy provides is an opportunity for the people to decide who the right leaders are,” he said.
Amaechi also challenged the current administration to present tangible achievements comparable to projects executed during his tenure as Minister of Transportation.
“I was Minister of Transportation, and I can show you evidence of what I did. Let this government show one thing it has done, either in the North or in the South,” he said, urging Rivers residents to remain politically engaged as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
