The Rivers State Police Command has opened an investigation after a disturbing video surfaced online showing the Sole Administrator of Ahoada-East Local Government Area, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor, being beaten and coerced into signing a document purporting to be his resignation letter.
Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the incident occurred around 1:40 p.m. on 20 June when about 30 hoodlums stormed the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat. The group was allegedly led by the Administrator’s own Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr Hector Ekakita, and Chief of Staff (COS).
“They assaulted the Sole Administrator, seized his phones, and forced him to sign a resignation letter,” Iringe-Koko stated. “They also carted away vital official and personal documents.”
Iheanachor was later rushed to hospital with multiple injuries. Doctors say he is in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, visited the scene alongside heads of sister security agencies. He has ordered the CSO, COS, and all identified participants to report to the State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, for questioning.
“Failure to comply will attract severe consequences,” the CP warned.
The Command has vowed a thorough investigation and pledged to bring all perpetrators to justice.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Hon. Iheanachor dismissed rumours that he had voluntarily resigned.
“I never resigned. They presented a pre-typed letter and tried to force my signature,” he told reporters. “I was assaulted for refusing to betray my mandate.”
Although motives remain unclear, local observers suspect the attack may be linked to ongoing factional struggles within the council and wider state politics. Analysts warn that internal power plays have increasingly spilled into violence in Rivers’ LGAs.
police Inquiry: Investigators will examine CCTV footage, interview staff, and track the stolen documents.
Security Tightening: Additional personnel have been deployed to the Ahoada-East Secretariat to prevent reprisals.
Legal Path: Charges could range from assault and theft to conspiracy and attempted kidnapping.
For now, the spotlight rests on how swiftly the Rivers State Police can translate condemnations into arrests and reassure public servants that the rule of law still holds sway in the oil-rich but politically volatile state.
