• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

According to reports, Miss Uchechi said she had visited the school and was shocked by its dilapidated state. The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has demanded the immediate arrest and removal of Mr. Eugene Chita Epelle, Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, over allegations that he led thugs to assault and brutalise a young woman, Miss Ogadinma Minnie Uchechi, and her mother. This was after she (Uchechi) exposed the dilapidated and deplorable condition of a local public school. According to reports, Miss Uchechi said she had visited the school and was shocked by its dilapidated state. Concerned about the safety and education of students, she approached the school principal and the Community Development Association (CDA) chairman to raise the issue, only to be told repeatedly that the repair of the school was the responsibility of the state government. Faced with official indifference, Miss Uchechi decided to record and post a video highlighting the school's neglect, calling for urgent government intervention. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns, Epelle allegedly mobilized a group of thugs, including his brother, Mr. Monday Chita, to attack Miss Uchechi and her mother at their home, leaving them bloodied and seriously injured. Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Coordinator, Michael Adaramoye, and National Secretary, Francis Nwapa, YRC condemned the attack as "a dangerous escalation of political impunity and a direct assault on the democratic rights of citizens." "No one should be attacked for speaking out about the collapse of public education or for demanding accountability from public officials," the group stated. The group praised Miss Uchechi for her courage in exposing the failure of public officials and urged other young people to use social media and other platforms to hold leaders accountable. "At a time when many people remain silent in the face of injustice and neglect, her action demonstrates the important role young people can play in demanding accountability from those in power," YRC stated. "We call on young people across Nigeria to emulate this example by using social media and other platforms as tools to expose corruption, neglect, and injustice, and to demand transparency and accountability from political leaders." YRC also criticised the growing culture of intimidation under the President Bola Tinubu administration. The group noted that public officials increasingly behave like untouchable rulers, targeting whistleblowers instead of addressing the issues they raise. According to YRC, "Under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu APC regime, we are witnessing a growing culture where critics and whistleblowers are intimidated and attacked instead of their concerns being addressed." YRC linked the neglect of public schools to corruption, arguing that while public funds are routinely looted, politicians' children attend elite private schools or study abroad. "The crisis in public schools is not because there are no resources, but because public funds are routinely looted by corrupt political elites who prioritize personal enrichment over human needs," the group noted. "While public schools decay, the children of politicians attend elite private schools or study abroad." According to YRC, "If the children of Mr. Eugene Chita Epelle were students in that same dilapidated school, there is no doubt that urgent action would have been taken to fix it." The group demanded, "Immediate removal of Mr. Eugene Chita Epelle as Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government. "Immediate arrest and criminal prosecution of Mr. Eugene Chita Epelle and his brother, Mr. Monday Chita, for their role in the violent attack on Miss Ogadinma Minnie Uchechi and her mother. "Arrest and prosecution of all other thugs who participated in the assault. Adequate medical care and compensation for Miss Ogadinma Minnie Uchechi and her mother. "An independent investigation into the attack and the abuse of political office. Immediate renovation and proper funding of the affected school and other neglected public schools in the area. "A broader programme of adequate funding and democratic public control of education to guarantee safe and quality learning conditions for all students." YRC reaffirmed its solidarity with Miss Uchechi and called on civil society organisations, youth groups, students, workers, and democratic activists to demand justice. Source: https://saharareporters.com/2026/03/06/youth-campaign-demands-arrest-removal-rivers-council-chairman-epelle-attacking-woman-who