By Amah
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A night of gunfire and arson unsettled residents of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State after suspected political thugs attacked the community, setting ablaze a local office belonging to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Ubima, the hometown of former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, was thrown into panic late Thursday when armed men reportedly stormed the area, firing shots into the air and causing residents to flee indoors for safety. Eyewitnesses said the attackers eventually targeted the ADC secretariat in the community, which they set on fire before leaving the area.
The violence did not end with the overnight attack. Residents said the assailants returned early Friday morning and mounted a roadblock along the Omuawa–Ubima Road, stopping vehicles believed to be conveying ADC supporters and banners from entering the community.
The incident comes amid heightened political activity in the area ahead of a planned visit by Amaechi, a prominent figure within the ADC. The former minister was expected to arrive in Ubima on Friday to formally register with the party at his ward, an event that had drawn attention from supporters and political observers.
Rivers State has long been a flashpoint for intense political rivalry, with party defections, shifting alliances and grassroots mobilization often triggering confrontations between opposing camps. Analysts say the attack underscores the fragile nature of political competition in parts of the state, where local power struggles frequently spill into violence.
Security operatives were later deployed to Ubima to contain the situation. Residents said calm gradually returned after the arrival of security personnel, allowing normal activities to resume, though tension remained high in the community as authorities monitored developments.
Officials have yet to confirm arrests or identify those responsible for the attack.
