Tension has reportedly heightened in parts of Rivers State as police operatives allegedly barricaded a section of the Omagwa-Ubima road, a major route leading to Ubima, the hometown of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

The development occurred on Saturday as mourners, political leaders and other dignitaries arrived in the community for the burial of Amaechi’s mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi.

The Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chizi Enyi, raised the alarm in a video shared on Saturday, alleging that the police blockade was disrupting movement towards Ubima.

According to Enyi, an entire lane of the major road linking Omagwa to Ubima had been barricaded, resulting in traffic congestion and making access to the community difficult for mourners and other visitors attending the funeral.

“The Nigerian Police have helped Wike to block a section of the Omagwa road in Rivers State, and this is the major road leading to Ubima, for the burial of Rotimi Amaechi’s late mother,” Enyi alleged.

He claimed that the police action was taking place around the same area in Ikwerre Local Government Area where a political reception was being organised in honour of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The ADC spokesman had earlier alleged that Wike was working with the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Charles Wobodo, to organise the reception in Omagwa on the same day as Amaechi’s mother’s burial.

Enyi further claimed that residents had been mobilised for a wrestling competition as part of the activities planned for the reception.

He alleged that the timing and location of the event could create difficulties for people travelling to Ubima, given the proximity of the two communities and the expected influx of mourners and political leaders.

“The essence of the reception tomorrow at Omagwa is to shut down the access road leading to Ubima, the hometown of His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi,” Enyi had alleged.

However, despite the alleged obstruction, the ADC official insisted that the development would not prevent the burial from going ahead.

“The mother of Rotimi Amaechi will be laid to rest and no matter what, nothing can stop it,” he said.

Dame Mary Amaechi died at the age of 89 and is scheduled to be buried in Ubima on Saturday.

The funeral Mass is expected to commence at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ubima, while her interment will follow immediately at the Amaechi family residence.