Ayomide Awe
The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of Ahoada-East Local Government Area—Hector Ekakita and Aloni Olodi—wanted over a violent attack on the council’s sole administrator, Goodluck Iheamnacho.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the duo—who served as Chief Security Officer and Chief of Staff to the administrator respectively—led a mob of over 30 hoodlums in the June 20 assault at the council secretariat.
Iringe-Koko said the suspects, along with their gang, are facing multiple charges including criminal conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, stealing, and attempted murder.
“The suspects are alleged to have conspired to launch a brutal attack on Mr. Iheamnacho, inflicted serious bodily harm on him, coerced him to sign documents under duress, and carted away his mobile phones, vital documents, and other personal and official items from his office,” she said.
The council boss has since been receiving treatment for the injuries sustained during the assault, which has drawn widespread condemnation.
The police said Ekakita and Olodi had earlier been invited for questioning but failed to appear, prompting the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, to formally declare them wanted.
“They are hereby advised, in their own interest, to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay,” the statement added.
A viral video from the day of the attack showed Mr. Iheamnacho being repeatedly flogged and dragged across the floor by his assailants. An off-camera voice was also heard compelling him to sign a document, which police suspect was related to a forced resignation or approval.
In a disturbing twist, the video also captured a separate scene where another man, reportedly close to revealing the incident, was subjected to similar assault.
The police have warned the public against offering refuge or assistance to the suspects, urging anyone with useful information about their whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or the State Command directly.
The motive behind the assault remains unclear, but sources within the council suggest it may be connected to the ongoing political turmoil and power tussle following the controversial dissolution of elected local government executives in the state.
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