Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on security agencies to track down and prosecute individuals responsible for attacking his convoy and setting fire to the ward office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident occurred on Friday as Amaechi traveled to Ubima for his electronic registration as a member of the ADC. Reports indicate that armed men ambushed his convoy along the Ubima–Omuanwa road in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Sources revealed that before the former governor arrived in the community around midday, suspected thugs had already set up a roadblock along the route, preventing buses believed to be carrying ADC supporters from entering the town to participate in the registration exercise.
The attackers were also said to have struck earlier on Thursday night, when they allegedly set the ADC ward office in Ubima—Amaechi’s hometown—on fire. Witnesses reported that the assailants stormed the community heavily armed, firing shots indiscriminately and damaging the gate of Amaechi’s family residence with gunfire.
Despite the tension, Amaechi later arrived in the community, but his convoy was reportedly confronted by the armed group. Security personnel attached to the former minister responded to the attack and engaged the gunmen, who eventually retreated into nearby bushes after being overpowered.
Addressing a large crowd of party members and supporters who gathered for the e-registration event, Amaechi appealed for calm and restraint.
He commended the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for what he described as their swift and professional response following the attack.
After inspecting the burnt ADC office, Amaechi praised the security agencies for their cooperation but insisted that those behind the violence must be identified and brought to justice.
He warned that continued insecurity could push citizens to take matters into their own hands if authorities fail to protect lives and property. According to him, maintaining law and order is crucial to preventing chaos in the state.
The former Rivers State governor also urged the state government to strengthen security across the state to avoid further unrest.
Encouraging party members to remain peaceful, Amaechi called for increased mobilisation within the ADC, stressing that the party’s long-term objective is to capture power at the national level. He urged supporters to register in large numbers and prepare for upcoming elections, describing the attack as a distraction that would not derail the party’s political ambitions.
