Armed men invade Rivers factional Speaker’s home

Armed men alleged to be police officers and suspected political thugs on Sunday night invaded the residence of the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, in Port Harcourt.

News Direct reports that Ehie, who was the Leader of the State House of Assembly, had announced himself as the Speaker in the wake of the crisis that rocked the state legislature.

About 24 lawmakers had suspended Ehie as House leader, alongside two other members of the house.

Ehie, after announcing himself as the Speaker last month told newsmen that 26 lawmakers unanimously elected him even as he announced the suspension of some of his colleagues.

Details of the attack on Ehie’s residence are sketchy as it could not be ascertained if any damage or casualty was recorded during the invasion.

It was, however, gathered that his security details foiled the attack suspected to be an assassination attempt.

This came after 27 lawmakers led by House Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, went to Abuja for a retreat, which the latter described as capacity building.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was yet to get the report.

She, however, promised to find out and get back to our correspondent.

She had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report on Monday morning

Meanwhile, a statement signed by Ken Uchendu said to be Legislative Correspondent of the State House of Assembly and sent to newsmen described the attack as an assassination attempt.

The statement alleged that the attempted assassination was carried out by the head of a police tactical unit in the state, with unidentifiable others.

It warned that the senior police officers be held responsible should anything happen to the new Speaker and his household.

It assured the public that footage of the act as captured by CCTV camera would be made public for confirmation and record 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 Mr. 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.”