Tension rose in Rivers State on Friday after gunmen attacked the convoy of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and set fire to the ward office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, had travelled to his hometown to take part in his electronic membership registration with the ADC. The visit, which was expected to be a routine political activity, turned violent after suspected armed thugs attacked members of the party and disrupted preparations for the event.
The former minister later called on security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
According to reports from the community, the trouble began hours before Amaechi arrived in Ubima on Friday afternoon.
Sources said the gunmen had already mounted a roadblock along the road linking Ubima and Omuanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly stopped vehicles and turned back buses carrying ADC members and supporters who were travelling to attend Amaechi’s registration exercise.
Residents said the armed men were heavily armed and created panic in the area as they attempted to prevent the gathering from taking place.
The situation had already been tense since Thursday night when unknown persons set the ADC ward office in Ubima on fire. The building, which served as the local meeting point for party members, was badly damaged in the attack.
Community members said the burning of the office appeared to be an attempt to disrupt the planned political event scheduled for the next day.
Despite the tension in the community, Amaechi later arrived in Ubima around 12:15 pm on Friday.
However, as his convoy approached the area, the suspected thugs reportedly attempted to stop the vehicles. Witnesses said the attackers fired several gunshots into the air and towards the surroundings.
The armed men also allegedly fired at the gate of Amaechi’s family house, leaving visible bullet marks on the building.
Security operatives attached to Amaechi’s convoy quickly responded to the attack. According to sources present at the scene, the security team returned fire after the gunmen began shooting.
The exchange forced the attackers to retreat. The gunmen eventually fled into nearby bushes after the security personnel gained control of the situation.
No deaths were reported during the incident, but residents described the attack as frightening and dangerous.
After the situation was brought under control, Amaechi addressed hundreds of party members and supporters who had gathered in the community.
He urged them to remain calm and avoid responding to the attack with violence.
Amaechi also praised the swift response of security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to him, their quick intervention helped to prevent the situation from getting worse.
“I will thank the commissioner of police and the director of DSS,” Amaechi said during his address. “They showed a lot of professionalism immediately I made contact with them.”
He said he initially did not expect such cooperation from the security agencies but was pleased by their response to the crisis.
“The police came out, the NSCDC came, DSS came out. So we are grateful to them,” he added.
Amaechi also called on security authorities to ensure that those behind the attack are identified and prosecuted.
He warned that failure to hold the perpetrators accountable could encourage further violence.
“They must also know that this cannot continue,” he said. “The way they will show us that this cannot continue is that they must prosecute those who are involved in this crime.”
Amaechi further urged the state government to strengthen security across Rivers State to prevent similar incidents.
According to him, the protection of lives and property is a key responsibility of any government.
“I have been a governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people,” he said.
“If people feel they are not protected, they may begin to protect themselves.”
Despite the attack, Amaechi encouraged ADC members in the state to continue with their registration and mobilisation activities.
He urged party supporters to remain peaceful and focused on their political goals.
“Our role is to be calm, to be peaceful,” he said. “What they are doing is a distraction.”
Amaechi also called on residents to join the party in large numbers, stressing that strong political participation would be important ahead of future elections.
“ADC Rivers State, you must register en masse,” he told supporters.
“You must make sure that we have enough members to surprise them.”
The attack comes at a time when political activities are beginning to increase across Nigeria as parties prepare for future elections.
Amaechi, a prominent political figure in the country, has remained influential since leaving office as Minister of Transportation in 2023.
Before that role, he served as governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and later became a key leader in national politics.
His decision to register with the African Democratic Congress has drawn attention in political circles, as observers believe it could signal a new phase in his political career.
The ADC itself has been working to expand its membership across several states as it positions itself as an alternative political platform.
Rivers State has witnessed periodic political tensions over the years, particularly during election periods or major political events.
Community leaders in Ikwerre Local Government Area have called on security agencies to increase patrols and prevent further attacks.
Residents say they hope the latest incident will not lead to more violence in the area.
For now, security agencies are expected to investigate the attack and track down the gunmen who carried it out.
