Suspected gunmen on Friday reportedly attacked the convoy of former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, shortly after he arrived in his hometown of Ubima to formally register as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident, which occurred amid heightened political activity in the state, caused panic among residents and supporters who had gathered for the registration exercise. Witnesses said several gunshots were heard in parts of the Ubima community as Amaechi’s convoy approached the venue where the political event was scheduled to take place.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the sound of indiscriminate gunfire created confusion in the area, forcing many residents and party supporters to seek safety while security personnel attached to the convoy quickly moved to assess the situation.
Despite the tense atmosphere created by the attack, security operatives were said to have acted swiftly to restore order and prevent the situation from escalating into a broader security crisis.
Sources at the scene said the timely intervention of security agencies ensured that the event proceeded without further disruption.
Amaechi eventually completed the registration exercise in his hometown and later addressed supporters and community members who had gathered for the occasion.
As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the reported attack or confirm the identity of those responsible for the gunshots.
However, speaking shortly after the registration exercise, Amaechi condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The former minister commended the professionalism and swift response of security agencies that intervened during the incident.
He specifically praised operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for responding promptly after he contacted them.
According to Amaechi, the rapid deployment of security personnel helped stabilise the situation and reassured residents who had been alarmed by the gunshots.
“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.
Amaechi further acknowledged the collective efforts of the security agencies involved in maintaining order during the incident.
“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,” he added.
While expressing appreciation for the security response, Amaechi insisted that those responsible for the attack must be brought to justice.
According to him, allowing such acts of violence to go unpunished could create an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness within communities.
“They must show that this will not continue by prosecuting those involved in this crime,” he said.
Amaechi explained that his experience as a former governor had given him a deep understanding of the consequences of failing to adequately protect citizens.
“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,” he stated.
He warned that insecurity and political violence could encourage individuals and communities to resort to self-help measures if they lose confidence in the ability of the government to protect them.
Amaechi also used the opportunity to appeal to his supporters and residents of the area to remain calm and avoid any actions that might worsen tensions in the community.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and allowing security agencies to investigate the incident properly.
“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.
Beyond addressing the security incident, Amaechi also spoke extensively about the political and economic situation in Nigeria, expressing concern over what he described as worsening hardship faced by citizens across the country.
The former minister criticised the current economic conditions, stating that widespread hunger and poverty had become major issues affecting Nigerians.
According to him, the level of economic hardship had reached a point where citizens were increasingly demanding accountability from those in positions of authority.
“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,” he said.
Amaechi further lamented what he described as the growing disconnect between ordinary citizens and the political leadership.
He argued that while many Nigerians were struggling with rising living costs and economic uncertainty, some individuals in positions of authority were allegedly mismanaging public resources.
“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 said.
The former governor also used the event to mobilise support for the African Democratic Congress, urging residents and supporters to actively participate in the party’s membership drive ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the strength and influence of any political party depend largely on the number of committed members it is able to attract and mobilise.
Amaechi encouraged supporters to register in large numbers, noting that a strong membership base would make it difficult for political opponents to intimidate or suppress the party.
“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.
He emphasised that democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in political processes and make their voices heard through legitimate means.
Amaechi also challenged the current administration to present tangible achievements comparable to the projects executed during his tenure as Minister of Transportation.
During his time in office, Amaechi oversaw several major infrastructure projects, particularly in the railway sector, which the government at the time described as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s transport system.
“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.
The former minister urged residents of Rivers State and Nigerians in general to remain politically aware and actively engage in democratic processes as the country moves closer to the next general election.
According to him, meaningful change in governance can only be achieved when citizens participate fully in shaping the political direction of the country.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the attack on Amaechi’s convoy has raised concerns about political violence and the need for stronger security measures to ensure peaceful democratic engagement across the country.
