Mild drama ensued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday morning following the decision of the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, to storm the residence of a former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Gbene Joy Nunieh, and rescue her from alleged police harassment.
Armed policemen besieged the residence of Nunieh, a day she was billed to travel to Abuja to testify before an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating the alleged malfeasance in the NDDC.
Nunieh has been engaged in allegations and counter allegations with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, over corruption and mismanagement of resources that accrued to the commission.
The armed policemen, who reportedly came in their dozens as early as 4am on Thursday, were said to have surrounded all parts of the house and attempted to gain entrance into the main building.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said the policemen banged the gate repeatedly and later forced it open but could not enter inside the house where Nunieh took refuge.
Wike, who had earlier warned against harm coming the way of Nunieh, was said to have rushed to the residence to rescue her.
Wike was said to have arrived the house, bulldozed his way into the building and zoomed off with the embattled ex-NDDC managing director.
Sources said the governor, took Nunieh into protective custody and relocated her to the Government House in Port Harcourt.
A video clip of the incident showed security details of Wike escorting the woman into the governor’s personal car and the woman telling someone over the telephone that the governor had come for her.
The armed policemen, who took strategic positions in the compound, were also seen helplessly watching the incident.
The police authority in the state was not disposed to answering questions regarding the incident as the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, promised to get back with details but later failed to do so.
Nunieh said over 15 policemen surrounded the house and questioned their motive since she said they had no warrant to arrest her.