Late on Sunday night, individuals believed to be armed police officers, alongside suspected political thugs, allegedly raided the residence of Edison Ehie, the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in Port Harcourt.
Naija News reports covered the announcement that Edison Ehie, the former Leader of the State House of Assembly, proclaimed himself as the Speaker amidst the turmoil that engulfed the state legislature.
About 24 lawmakers decided to suspend Edison Ehie from his role as House leader, along with two other house members.
Following this suspension, Ehie declared himself the Speaker last month, asserting that 26 lawmakers had unanimously elected him. Additionally, he announced the suspension of some of his fellow colleagues.
The specifics of the attack on Ehie’s residence remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether any damage or casualties occurred during the invasion.
Nevertheless, reports suggest that Ehie’s security details successfully thwarted the attack, which was suspected to be an assassination attempt.
The incident unfolded after 27 lawmakers, led by House Speaker Martin Amaewhule, embarked on a retreat to Abuja, characterized by Amaewhule as a capacity-building initiative.
Upon inquiry, Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the state police command, stated that she had not received the report. However, she assured that she would investigate and provide updates.
As of Monday morning, she had not fulfilled this promise.
Meanwhile, a statement attributed to Ken Uchendu, identified as the Legislative Correspondent of the State House of Assembly, was disseminated to the media, characterizing the attack as an assassination attempt.
The statement alleged that the assailant was the leader of a police tactical unit in the state, along with unidentified accomplices.
The statement issued a warning, holding senior police officers responsible for any harm that may befall the new Speaker and his household.
Furthermore, it reassured the public that footage of the incident, captured by CCTV cameras, would be released to the public for confirmation and record-keeping purposes.
The statement read, “At about 11 pm on Sunday, November 19, 2023, a group of armed thugs and police officers attached to the CTU B 3 RSV attacked the private residence of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, fully armed with an intention to assassinate Speaker and his family.
“However, the thugs and the police officers were vehemently repelled in a gun battle by the official security details attached to the Speaker.
“It is imperative to note that the armed rogues and officers were properly and fully captured by CCTV footage in the residence, which shall be made available to all media houses, including CNN, Aljazeera and other national and international media outlets, for the records.
“Let it be on record that Rivers people, boys, girls, women, men including the aged shall in our numbers occupy the streets naked in demonstration against the Nigerian Police and those sponsoring violence in Rivers State, no matter how highly placed, Rivers people will resist them.
“Finally, should there be a breakdown of law and order in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu should hold the Rivers State Police Command and their sponsors in Rivers State responsible.”
