*Police Hunt His Attackers
THERE is raging controversy in Rivers State over the purported resignation of Ahoada-East Local Council, Goodluck Iheanachor.
Iheanachor, one of the administrators appointed for the 23 local councils by the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), upon his assumption office following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state due to lingering political crisis, allegedly resigned his position under suspicious circumstances.
His resignation, contained in a letter dated June 20, 2025, and addressed to Ibas, has since generated controversies in the state.
In the letter, Iheanachor said his resignation was informed by his desire to return to the private sector, noting: “I humbly write to your noble office to convey to you my resignation as the Administrator, Ahoada East LGA.
“My sincere gratitude goes to the government of Rivers State and the good people of Ahoada East for finding me worthy to serve as Ahoada East LGA from 11th day of April 2025 to 20th day of July 2025.”
However, information later emerged that he had been forced to resign by some political thugs in the area who invaded the council secretariat and manhandled him. That was given credence when a video emerged online showing him being actually manhandled.
In addition, close scrutiny of the letter indicated an error, as instead of 11th day of April to June 20, it read April 11 to July 20, 2025, as the period he held the position.
Following the incident and the emergence of the viral video, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga A. Adepoju, accompanied by heads of other security agencies, after visiting the scene, ordered the immediate arrest of all suspects involved.
The state Police Command, while condemning the attack on Iheanachor, described it as a “heinous” and “reprehensible” act.
A statement by the Command on Sunday, June 22, said the attack occurred on June 20, about 1:40 pm, when a group of about 30 hoodlums stormed the council secretariat and pounced on Iheanachor, who was in stable condition after receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.
The hoodlums reportedly assaulted Iheanachor, stole his mobile phones, forced him to sign a resignation letter and carted away vital official and personal documents from his office.
According to the statement: “The Rivers State Police Command is aware and deeply disturbed by the heinous attack on the Sole Administrator of Ahoada-East Local Government Area, Goodluck Iheanachor.
“On June 20, 2025, about 1340hrs, a group of hoodlums, numbering about 30, led by Hector Ekakita, the Chief Security Officer (CSO), and the Chief of Staff (COS) to the sole administrator, respectively, stormed the council secretariat and attacked him.
“The Rivers State Police Command unequivocally condemns this reprehensible act and has taken swift action. The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga A. Adepoju, after visiting the scene of the attack with heads of other sister security agencies in the state, has directed the CSO, COS and all those involved in this action to report to the Police State Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, for questioning.”
Adepoju warned that failure to comply with the invitation would result in severe consequences, stressing the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice.
He advised residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring the public of Police dedication to maintaining peace and order in the state.
