Armed Men Raze ADC Chieftain’s House, Beat Family Members in Rivers Attack

Armed Men Raze ADC Chieftain's House, Beat Family Members in Rivers Attack

Armed Men Raze ADC Chieftain’s House, Beat Family Members in Rivers Attack

Thomas Isaiah recounts harrowing ordeal as political violence escalates in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

A family building belonging to a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Thomas Isaiah, has been set ablaze by unidentified armed men in Aluu community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. The attack, which occurred hours after Isaiah hosted a youth sensitisation meeting at his compound, has raised fresh concerns about political violence in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections. Isaiah, who serves as Chief Whip and Alternate Leader of ADC in Aluu, alleged that the attack was politically motivated and that the assailants were sponsored by an opposition political party bent on frustrating the ADC’s activities in Ikwerre Local Government Area. The incident follows a pattern of escalating attacks on opposition figures in Rivers State, with observers condemning the development as a dangerous escalation of political intolerance that threatens the democratic process in the region.

Isaiah told Nigerian Tribune that the incident occurred after he held a brief youth sensitisation meeting at his compound in Aluu on the day of the attack. He stated that the meeting was peaceful, starting around 9:00 am and concluding by 12 noon, with all attendees returning to their homes without incident. Later that night, around midnight, Isaiah received a warning call from an anonymous person advising him to take cover and be careful of his movements. “Since this is a security issue, I had to leave my house to stay with my friend,” Isaiah recounted. While staying with his friend, Isaiah fell asleep. When he woke up after 2:00 am, he discovered about 19 missed calls on his phone. Upon returning the calls, he learned that armed men had invaded his compound and set the building ablaze, leaving him to grapple with the devastating news from a distance while his family endured the attack.

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Isaiah returned to his compound the following morning to confirm the extent of the damage. He discovered that his house had been completely burnt down, along with tenant apartments, leaving families displaced and without shelter. His certificates and all his personal documents were destroyed in the fire, representing years of personal history and professional achievements reduced to ashes. “My mother was beaten, my grandmother was beaten. Everyone in my compound was tortured,” Isaiah stated, describing the brutal assault on his family members. The physical violence meted out to his elderly relatives has drawn particular outrage, with critics condemning the attackers for targeting vulnerable family members in what appears to be an act of political intimidation designed to instill fear and silence opposition voices.

Some ADC members in the area alleged that the attack was carried out by thugs led by a man identified as Docko, who is said to serve as the Chief Security Officer of the local government. The allegations further claimed that Docko and members of the Organized Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC) assaulted Isaiah’s mother before setting fire to the family building. The alleged involvement of OSPAC, a community-based security outfit operating in parts of Rivers State, has raised questions about the limits of the group’s authority and the need for security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the incident. It is important to note that the allegations against the suspected OSPAC members have not yet been independently verified, and no conclusion should be drawn regarding responsibility until the appropriate authorities complete their investigation. This distinction is crucial to ensure that innocent parties are not wrongly accused and that justice is served based on concrete evidence rather than speculation.

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The attack on Isaiah’s residence comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Rivers State. Earlier in March 2026, suspected political thugs attacked the ADC secretariat in Ubima community and the convoy of former Minister of Transportation and ADC chieftain, Rotimi Amaechi. The ADC South-South Zone condemned those attacks as a dangerous escalation of political intimidation against opposition parties, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemning the incidents as an “assault on democracy” that should not be allowed to fester. In a separate incident, the ADC had raised the alarm over what it described as intimidation of opposition political parties, following a directive by the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area banning all forms of public gatherings without prior approval from his office. The party argued that the directive posed a threat to constitutional democracy and political participation, effectively stifling legitimate political expression in the area and creating an environment conducive to further violence.

The Rivers State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest attack on Isaiah’s residence at the time of reporting. Efforts to obtain official reactions from the police command were unsuccessful as of filing this report, leaving residents and political stakeholders in a state of uncertainty about the security situation. The incident has generated concern among residents and political stakeholders, with many calling for increased police presence and proactive measures to prevent further violence. As the 2027 elections approach, stakeholders are urging all parties to eschew violence and embrace dialogue, warning that the current trajectory of political violence could have grave consequences for Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole. The attack on Isaiah’s residence serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of political tolerance in the region and the urgent need for security agencies to act decisively to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law.