Police confirm attack on Magnus Abe Campaign convoy in Rivers

*As political violence and intolerance spreads in Rivers

Eric Olusesan /Port Harcourt

Rivers State Police Command has confirmed armed attack on on campaign convoy of Senator Magnus Abe, Social Democratic Party, SDP, Governorship candidate, yesterday, Monday, while on his way to attend a rally at Akinima, in Ahoada-West local government area.

The confirmation of the incident was contained in a press statement signed by SP Grace Iringe-Koko Spokesperson of the Command.

” There was a Pre-rally attack by unknown armed men on the campaign convoy of Senator Magnus Abe, while on his way to attend a rally at Akinima in Ahoada West Local Government Area. 

“Security personnel attached to him were able to rebuff the attack.

Upon receipt of the information, tactical teams were immediately deployed to the area to reinforce the personnel earlier posted to provide security at the campaign venue. The teams were able to restore peace and normalcy in the area, paving way for a successful rally.”Iringe-Koko said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Command says that investigation into the attack on the SDP flag bearer, Senator Magnus Abe, with a view to arresting the hoodlums.

It would be recalled that the governorship candidate of the SDP, Senator Abe, on Monday evening, escaped assassination when unknown gunmen attacked his campaign train at Akinima community in Ahoada-West local government area of the State.

Abe and his team had earlier visited Ubeta and other communities in the area before heading to Akinima, which is the headquarters of the local government area, when they came under heavy gun attack.

A short video from his media team showed members of the campaign train running helter-skelter scampering for safety in the ensuing chaos.

Speaking on the development, Abe said: “We went there and they went and used two vehicles to block the road so that we cannot get there.

“Nigeria is a democracy and all of us have the right to go to the people and share our ideas with them. If you have ruled the people for seven years, the people should be happy with you.

“If people are not happy with you it is because you are not doing well. Now, you are sending people’s children to come and block other politicians from talking to the people.”

Abe’s campaign convoy had earlier been attacked attacked in Oyigbo and Tai, while Dumo-Lulu Briggs, Governorship candidate for Accord was similarly attacked at Etche Local Government area.

There were also sporadic shootings and explosions of suspected Improvised Explosive Devices,IED,at the Rumuwoji Play ground, Diobu, Port Harcourt, where Tonye Cole, All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship candidate and supporters had their campaign rally a few weeks ago.

About four persons sustained different degrees of injury.

Also suspected political thugs attempted to burn the house of Ezemonye Ezekiel Amadi, former Commissioner and the APC candidate for Emohua/Ikwerre federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

 The incident happened on penultimate Saturday in Omerelu, his country home, in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

As the fire started, some community youths were said to have intercepted one of the assailants and arrested him.

In a video he personally shared on the incident, Ekekiel-Amadi said most of the rooms were burnt, adding that the assailants broke the glass and set fire through the curtains.