PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA — The executive chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area in Rivers State, Charles Wobodo, has alleged that former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and his security personnel opened fire on residents in Omuanwa community .
Speaking to journalists in a video posted by Channels TV, Wobodo described the incident as unexpected and chaotic. He explained that Amaechi routinely passes through the area en route to his hometown of Ubima without issue .
However, on the day in question, the situation escalated dramatically when Amaechi arrived with his security team. According to Wobodo, they discharged firearms indiscriminately, prompting widespread panic as community members fled in all directions .
“The man, Amaechi himself, usually pass here. The next community is his community. Has he not been passing here all this while, going to his community and coming back? But it was yesterday that it was very funny. Nobody expected it; it took everybody unaware. He came up here, him and his security men or whoever he has carried, and opened fire on everybody. The whole community started running helter-skelter. I fell down. I had to find myself by trying to escape from the gunshots and all that, and pass through the next road,” Wobodo narrated .
The council chairman, who was in Omuanwa attending a burial ceremony at the time, rejected suggestions that Amaechi’s convoy faced obstruction or assault from local hoodlums or vigilante members. He maintained that local vigilantes were simply stationed to safeguard lives and property, and no prior provocation occurred .
However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has offered a conflicting account. The party’s State Chairman, Leader Bari, insisted that the individuals who blocked the road were hoodlums, not members of any recognised vigilante group. He alleged that the attackers fired first at security operatives escorting the former governor, prompting a response from the personnel .
The ADC has called for the arrest and investigation of the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman over the incident, urging security agencies to invite Wobodo for questioning .
The incident occurred on Friday, March 6, 2026, along the Omuanwa axis as Amaechi travelled to his hometown, Ubima, for ADC party registration .
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