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•Ex-minister urges security agencies to arrest, prosecute perpetrators
•Says, if you’re not hungry, tell them I am
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Gunmen suspected to be political thugs yesterday reportedly attacked the convoy of the leader of the African Democratic Party (ADC) in the South-South, Chibuike Amaechi.
The incident occurred as the former Minister of Transportation visited his community Ubima and Omuanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Amaechi who is a former governor of Rivers State, was in his community for e-registration as a member of the African Democratic Party (ADC).
It was gathered that before Amaechi arrived his community, some armed youths suspected to be members of a local vigilance group popularly called OSPAC, had already mounted a roadblock, turning back every identified bus carrying ADC members attending the event. This was even as some arsonists on Thursday night, set ablaze the ward office of the ADC in Ubima, Amaechi’s country home. It was also gathered that the criminals invaded the community with heavy gun power to stop the former governor’s visit, shooting sporadically and riddling Amaechi’s family house gate with bullets. On Friday afternoon, as Amaechi was about to enter the community, armed thugs stopped his convoy, but the security operatives in the team engaged the gunmen.
A source in the convoy disclosed that when the security operatives in the team showed more firepower, the armed thugs fled into the bushes.
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Addressing his party members who were present to witness the e-registration exercise, Amaechi urged them to be peaceful. Amaechi thanked the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Department of State Service (DSS) and the Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC, for their swift intervention.
He said the security agencies showed professionalism in their quick response. Amaechi urged members of the party not to join in causing violence, noting that the task was left for the police to unravel, arrest and prosecute those behind the attacks. Amaechi urged the governor of the state to make efforts and provide adequate security to all parts of the state, to avert a breakdown of law and order.
He encouraged members of the party to commence massive mobilisation, adding that the target is presidency.
Amaechi said: “I have been a governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people. The people will begin to protect their lives by themselves because they don’t want to die. “We are hungry. If you are not hungry, tell them I am hungry. People are dropping dead every day because of hunger. And there’s a few people who are stealing our money, and they say we should keep quiet.”
