Port Harcourt, Rivers State – March 6, 2026
Armed men suspected to be political thugs on Friday attempted to prevent former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, from entering his hometown of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area, triggering a brief but intense confrontation that sent residents fleeing in panic.
The incident occurred around midday on March 6, 2026, when Amaechi’s convoy approached a major access road leading into Ubima community. Eyewitnesses and local sources told journalists that a group of heavily armed men had blocked the road with vehicles and barricades. As the convoy slowed, the assailants reportedly opened sporadic gunfire in an apparent effort to force the vehicles to turn back.
Security personnel attached to the former governor immediately responded. The armed escorts engaged the attackers in a short exchange of fire, eventually clearing the obstruction and allowing the convoy to proceed into the community without retreating. No official casualty figures have been released, but community leaders confirmed that several residents sustained minor injuries from stray bullets or during the ensuing stampede.
Multiple videos circulating on social media platforms captured the tense moments: armed men are seen positioned along the road while gunshots echo in the background and people run for cover. One widely shared clip shows Amaechi’s black SUV briefly halting before security personnel advance and the convoy continues forward.
The roadblock and shooting came barely 12–14 hours after another serious incident in the same community. Late Thursday night, March 5–6, suspected thugs set ablaze the Ubima Ward 8 secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—the party Amaechi formally joined late last year. The single-storey building was completely gutted, with party documents, furniture, banners and campaign materials destroyed. No injuries were reported in the arson attack, but the timing has led many residents to link the two incidents to Amaechi’s planned visit.
Amaechi, a native of Ubima, was expected to formally register at the ward level of the ADC as part of ongoing grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections. His defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ADC and his vocal criticism of both Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration and the political influence of former governor Nyesom Wike have significantly heightened political temperature in Rivers State.
Local leaders and ADC officials in Ikwerre described the attacks as “clearly politically motivated” and intended to intimidate the former governor and his supporters. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, had earlier condemned the secretariat arson as “a direct assault on democracy” and warned that the ADC would not allow its members or facilities to become targets of political thuggery.
No group has publicly claimed responsibility for either incident. However, residents and political observers in the area point to the long-running rift between Amaechi and Wike loyalists, as well as tensions between Amaechi’s camp and elements aligned with the current state government.
As of Friday evening, the Rivers State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the roadblock, shooting or arson incidents. Security presence in parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area has reportedly been strengthened, with additional mobile police units and conventional patrols visible on major roads leading to Ubima and neighbouring communities.
The absence of an immediate police statement has drawn criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures. The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in Rivers State called for a prompt, transparent and independent investigation, warning that unchecked political violence could derail preparations for local government elections and the broader 2027 electoral cycle.
Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) officials in the state also condemned the attacks and urged security agencies to ensure the safety of all political actors regardless of party affiliation.
Former Governor Amaechi has not yet made a public statement on the incidents. However, sources close to him confirmed that he arrived safely in Ubima, met with party leaders and community stakeholders, and proceeded with his planned engagements before returning to Port Harcourt later in the day.
Rivers State remains one of Nigeria’s most politically volatile regions, with recurring clashes between rival factions often linked to control of political structures, resources and influence ahead of major elections. The incidents in Ubima have heightened fears that the 2027 electoral cycle could be marred by similar violence unless decisive action is taken by security agencies and political leaders.
The ADC, which has positioned itself as a credible third force in Rivers politics since Amaechi’s defection, has vowed to continue its mobilization efforts despite the intimidation. Party leaders say they are consulting with security agencies and legal counsel on how to ensure the safety of members and facilities in the state.
As investigations are expected to begin, attention now focuses on whether the Rivers State Police Command will swiftly identify and prosecute those responsible for Thursday night’s arson and Friday’s armed roadblock.
