Police accuse council Chiefs of coordinating attack on Rivers LG Sole Administrator
...CP orders CSO, Chief of Staff to report to headquarters or face arrest
The Rivers State Police Command has alleged that senior officials of Ahoada East Local Government Council orchestrated a violent assault on the council’s Sole Administrator, Mr Goodluck Iheamnacho, on Friday.
According to the police, Mr Hector Ekakita, the council’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), along with the Chief of Staff (COS), reportedly led a group of over 30 individuals to the council secretariat, where Mr Iheamnacho was physically attacked, injured, and coerced into signing a forged resignation letter.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and shared the Command’s preliminary findings.
“During the attack, the hoodlums assaulted the Sole Administrator, stole his mobile phones, forced him to sign a letter purporting his resignation, and removed both official and personal documents from his office,” the statement read.
Mr Iheamnacho is said to be receiving medical care and is in a stable condition.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olugbenga A. Adepoju, visited the scene alongside heads of other security agencies and has summoned all individuals allegedly involved, including Mr Ekakita and the COS, to appear at the State Police Headquarters for interrogation.
“Failure to comply with the police invitation will result in serious consequences,” CP Adepoju stated.
He reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to maintaining law and order in the state.
“The police are resolute in their commitment to justice and the protection of law-abiding citizens. We encourage members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and avoid any actions that could lead to civil unrest.”
The incident followed the circulation of a controversial resignation letter, purportedly signed by Mr Iheamnacho, which surfaced on social media on Friday. He has since denied writing the letter, insisting it was obtained under duress during the attack.
“I never wrote any resignation letter. I was attacked at the secretariat by a group of youths who insisted I leave office,” he told journalists while receiving treatment.
Some of the attackers reportedly claimed their actions were motivated by allegations of financial mismanagement. However, others pointed to tensions over Mr Iheamnacho’s alleged refusal to distribute council funds to political stakeholders who supported his appointment.
Local governments across Rivers State are currently overseen by appointed Sole Administrators, following an emergency governance declaration by retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the State Sole Administrator. Many of the current appointees are believed to be loyal to Honourable Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a situation that has fuelled political tensions in several LGAs.
The Police Command confirmed that investigations are ongoing and pledged to bring all perpetrators to justice.