Arewa youths accuse Wike supporters of explosive plot

The Arewa Youth Consultative Movement has accused supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of detonating an explosive near the Presidential Hotel in Rivers State during a protest on Tuesday. The group claims this act was intended to intimidate federal lawmakers lodging at the hotel, in a bid to garner support for a controversial call for a state of emergency.

The Rivers State Government announced on Wednesday that they had apprehended a suspect linked to the incident. The explosion, believed to be caused by dynamite, occurred in the vicinity of the Presidential Hotel on the busy Aba expressway in Port Harcourt, sparking widespread panic.

During a briefing in Kaduna, the Arewa Youths alleged that the chaos was orchestrated to demand tenure extension for local government chairmen who had completed their three-year terms. They claimed the plot was to incite fear and manipulate the lawmakers.

According to the group, the perpetrators selected the location near the hotel where Senators and House of Representatives members were conducting oversight functions, but the attempt failed. They reported that Josiah Preye, identified as the alleged detonator, suffered severe injuries in the blast, describing it as an instance of “the hunter becoming the hunted.”

The Arewa Youths urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security chiefs not to shield the pro-Wike protesters and their sponsors, insisting that those behind the blast must face justice.

Their statement reads: “Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, detonated an explosive near the Presidential Hotel in Rivers State during a protest. This act aimed to intimidate federal lawmakers to push for an unwarranted state of emergency. Their plan to create chaos with the explosive device during their march for tenure elongation of local government chairmen was thwarted.

“They targeted the vicinity of the Hotel Presidential on the busy Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, where federal lawmakers were lodging. However, nemesis caught up with Josiah Preye, and he suffered severe injuries. The God who sees the hearts of the wicked is fighting for the innocent and law-abiding citizens. The attempt to disrupt the administration providing good governance has failed. Security agencies must act swiftly to ensure those involved in the failed bombing are brought to justice.”

The Arewa Youths emphasised the need for accountability and urged the government to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.