Tension is rising in Rivers State following allegations that the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Council, Eugene Epelle Cheta, supervised the assault of a teenage girl, Winnie Miller, for exposing the poor condition of a secondary school in Odiokwu community.

Residents alleged that the teenager took photographs and recorded videos of the dilapidated school infrastructure and shared them on social media to draw attention to its state.

The affected school, located in Odiokwu — the hometown of the council chairman — is said to be the only secondary school in the community.

The town is also home to the member representing Ahoada West/Ogba Egbema–Ndoni Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Victor Obuzor.

Community members described the school as being in a “sorry state,” with dilapidated structures and unsafe learning conditions.

Sources alleged that rather than initiate steps to rehabilitate the facility, the chairman led some associates and security aides to the residence of the girl’s family, where she was reportedly assaulted and sustained injuries, including a bruised lip.

A resident, Tamuno Briggs, condemned the incident, stating: “No democratic government is above constructive criticism. What the young girl said about the school is true. Assaulting her over it is unacceptable.”

Another community member, Gift Eke, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the intimidation and harassment of Winnie Uchechi for speaking up about the failure to renovate the secondary school in her village. Leadership requires accountability, not violence.”

The residents called on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute the council chairman over alleged assault occasioning harm, insisting that public office holders must be held accountable.

However, in a statement reportedly issued by the local council, the chairman denied the allegation of assault.

The statement said he visited the residence of the girl’s mother for what it described as a peaceful engagement.

“Moments later, the accuser moved aggressively toward the chairman while continuing her verbal attack. A passerby intervened to prevent escalation.

In the process of being restrained, she reportedly lost her balance, fell, and sustained minor injuries,” the statement read.

When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed that it had commenced an investigation.

The command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that the teenager sustained bruises when an aide to the chairman allegedly attempted to stop her from speaking during his visit.

She added that further investigations are ongoing into the matter. (The Guardian)