‘I narrowly escaped being shot’ — Amaechi counters Wike’s claim

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says he “narrowly” escaped being shot by security men attached to Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state.

Wike had earlier alleged that he was attacked by security operatives attached to the minister.

Convoys of the two men clashed on Saturday along Trans-Amadi road, Nwaja axis, in Port-Harcourt.

In a statement, Amaechi alleged that “gun-totting security men attached to Wike’s convoy” surrounded his car, threatening to shoot him.

He said although he “eventually passed through” unhurt, his car was “vandalised with a broken side mirror”.

A statement issued by his media office read: “Accompanied by cars of many of his supporters, the minister’s black jeep was intercepted and blocked at the junction by the security motorcycle outrider attached to Wike after two cars had passed through.

“One of the two cars had security men assigned to protect the minister in Port Harcourt. Suddenly, gun-toting security men attached to Wike’s convoy, surrounded the minister’s car, threatening to shoot him.

“They hit the car, tried to smash the windscreens, back and side windows and broke a side mirror. All through this attack, Amaechi remained calm, inside the fortified Jeep. While the attack occurred, Wike remained inside his vehicle.

“The minister eventually passed through after the intervention of the security team on ground to protect him in Port Harcourt.

“However, when governor Wike got to the point where the incident occurred after Amaechi’s vehicle had gone by, his security men blocked the road again, dragged out from a vehicle and thoroughly beat up a policeman attached to protect Amaechi in Port Harcourt. The policeman’s rifle was also taken from him.”

The duo has been at loggerheads since Wike took over from Amaechi as Rivers state governor.