Amaechi staged gun attack, says Rivers police

The Rivers state police command has dismissed the claims that Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers state, was attacked in Obio Akpor local government area of the state on Thursday.

The police said the gunshots that rocked the town were fired by security operatives in Amaechi’s entourage.

David Iyiofor, chief press secretary to the governor, had alleged that thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Power (PDP) attacked Amaechi during a campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the hometown of Nyesom Wike, the PDP gubernatorial candidate of the state.

When TheCable contacted Ahmad Muhammad, public relations officer of the police in the state, he said a statement would be issued in that regard.

When he finally emailed the statement, Muhammad said the attack was organised to whip up sentiments.

“The police wishes to react to the news that went viral on both normal and social media quoting David Iyofor, chief press secretary to Rivers state governor, to the effect that gunshots were fired at the convoy of his principal at Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor local government,” the statement read.

“To put the records straight, after a successful and peaceful rally under the close watch of policemen led by the divisional police officer of the area, shots were indiscriminately fired from the convoy of the governor for reasons best known to them, as against the wispy claim of David Iyofor. No shots were fired at the convoy of the governor.

“The false alarm, which is the usual penchant of the state government, may not be unconnected with the bogus claim of assassination attempt by his principal that is to just whip up public sympathy.

“The command urges politicians to refrain from whipping sentiments by toying with security issues to create needless public panic, where there is none, please.”