Hector Ekeakita, the Chief Security Officer of Ahoada-East Local Government Area in Rivers State, has denied involvement in the attack on the sole administrator of the council, Goodluck Iheanacho.
This follows a statement from the Rivers State Police Command that the Chief Security Officer and Chief of Staff of the council led the attack, which occurred last Friday.
Iheanacho was seen in a viral video online being beaten and forced to sign a resignation letter by unidentified youths wielding machetes. The administrator had earlier denied resigning after the letter circulated online.
Speaking on Nigeria Info FM’s Morning Crossfire, Ekeakita claimed he fled the scene when the situation escalated, saying he feared for his safety. He added that Iheanacho had earlier withdrawn all security personnel assigned to him and ignored warnings from security agencies stationed in the local government.
Ekeakita also said he attempted to contact the police, but their line was unreachable before he fled the scene.
Responding to the viral video, the Ahoada-East Chief Security Officer denied knowing the source of the footage, suggesting that the videos could have been generated by artificial intelligence (AI) or members of the Simplified Movement, a support group for suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara, with whom he claims the administrator has affiliations.
According to Ekeakita, he went to Iheanacho’s office after hearing shouting but was told to leave by the administrator. When the situation got out of control, he said he had no choice but to flee.
The Rivers State Police have since invited both the Chief Security Officer and the Chief of Staff for questioning as the investigation continues.
See video:
