Rivers Council security chief denies involvement in assault on administrator

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State, Hector Ekeakita, has dismissed claims that he led or supported a group of thugs who allegedly attacked the council’s sole administrator, Goodluck Iheamnacho.

Speaking during a television appearance on Monday, Ekeakita described the allegations as unfounded, stressing that it would be illogical for him, in his position as the CSO, to orchestrate an attack against the person he is assigned to protect.

His response comes amid viral reports of a resignation letter purportedly signed by Iheamnacho.

The letter, dated June 20 and addressed to Rivers State’s overall council administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, surfaced online last Friday.

Shortly after the letter began circulating, a video emerged showing a man resembling Iheamnacho being physically assaulted by a group of individuals.

In a separate interview with a Port Harcourt radio station, Iheamnacho denied voluntarily resigning, stating that the letter was brought to his office by unknown individuals who assaulted him and forced him to sign it.

Confirming the incident, the Rivers State Police Command said on Sunday that Iheamnacho was indeed attacked and compelled to sign the resignation letter under duress.

According to the police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, preliminary findings indicated that Ekeakita and the council’s Chief of Staff allegedly led a group of around 30 individuals into Iheamnacho’s office on the day of the incident.

The police have since invited both officials for questioning.

Responding to the allegations, Ekeakita recounted the events of that day.

He claimed he was at his desk when he heard a commotion from the administrator’s office.

Upon entering the office to investigate, he said Iheamnacho told him the issue was between him and his political appointees, particularly over unpaid allowances dating back to May.

“I left the office after he told me it was a private matter,” Ekeakita said.

“As the CSO of the local government, it makes no sense that I would organize an attack against my own boss.”

When asked whether he made any efforts to contact law enforcement during the disturbance, Ekeakita said he tried reaching out to the police but was unsuccessful due to poor network connectivity.

He maintained that his concern stemmed from the noise coming from the administrator’s office, not from knowledge of an assault taking place.

“I only called the police because the noise was excessive. I didn’t know an attack was happening,” he said.