Suspected political thugs on Friday opened fire on the convoy of former Rivers State governor and South-South leader of the African Democratic Congress, Chibuike Amaechi, sparking a gun duel with security operatives in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The attack occurred along the road between Ubima—Amaechi’s hometown—and Omuanwa, where armed men reportedly attempted to block the former minister from entering his community. Amaechi had travelled to Ubima to complete his electronic registration as a member of the African Democratic Congress.
Witnesses said suspected thugs had already mounted a roadblock before Amaechi’s arrival around 12:15pm, turning back buses believed to be carrying ADC supporters heading to the community. The tension followed an overnight attack during which the ward office of the ADC in Ubima was set ablaze.
Residents said the attackers, who stormed the area with heavy weapons, fired sporadically into the community and riddled the gate of Amaechi’s family home with bullets. When the former governor’s convoy approached, the gunmen attempted to halt the movement, but security personnel attached to the convoy reportedly engaged them in a gun battle.
Sources said the attackers fled into nearby bushes after the security operatives overpowered them. No casualties were immediately reported, though the incident heightened tensions in the community.
Addressing hundreds of party members who gathered for the registration exercise, Amaechi urged calm and warned supporters against retaliatory violence. He praised security agencies for their swift response, singling out the police, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their professionalism.
“I will thank the commissioner of police and the director of DSS. They showed a lot of professionalism immediately I contacted them,” Amaechi said. “All of us will agree that the police came out, the NSCDC came out, and the DSS came out. We are grateful to them.”
After inspecting the burnt party office, the former transport minister insisted that those behind the attack must be identified and prosecuted to prevent further violence. He also called on the state government to strengthen security across the state to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
Amaechi urged members of the party to focus on mobilisation rather than confrontation, declaring that the ADC’s long-term target remained the presidency.
“We are marching to Aso Rock,” he told supporters, adding that political intimidation would not deter the party’s ambitions ahead of future elections.
