A controversy has erupted in Rivers State following an assault allegation made by a young woman who claims she was attacked after exposing the poor state of a government-owned secondary school in her community.
The woman, identified as Winnie Mila, accused the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Hon. Eugene Chita Epelle, of allegedly ordering thugs to attack her after she posted a video highlighting the deteriorating condition of a public school in Oduoku Community.
According to Winnie, the incident began after she shared photos and videos on social media on March 1, drawing public attention to what she described as the alarming state of the school facilities.
In the video, she appealed to local authorities to intervene urgently, explaining that the learning environment had become extremely challenging for students.
The assault allegation surfaced after the video began circulating widely online, prompting reactions from concerned residents and social media users who expressed shock over the conditions revealed in the footage.
In the video message, Winnie emphasized the importance of education in shaping the future of young people.
She argued that without adequate learning facilities and support from authorities, students in the community risk being deprived of quality education.
She also called directly on the local government leadership to address the situation.
According to her account, the school is lacking essential facilities required for effective teaching and learning.
She stated that many classrooms are without chairs and desks, while writing boards and windows are either damaged or completely missing.
Winnie also claimed that the school has no electricity supply and is experiencing a serious shortage of teachers.
She explained that these conditions have discouraged parents from enrolling their children in the school.
The situation, she said, was not always this bad.
Winnie disclosed that the secondary school previously had a student population of more than 1,000, but the number has reportedly dropped to fewer than 100 students due to the poor state of infrastructure and learning resources.
Her video, which was intended to call attention to the issue, quickly gained traction on social media, sparking conversations about the state of public education in parts of the country.
However, according to her, the attention the video received also triggered a hostile response.
Speaking during a press briefing, Winnie narrated that the assault allegation stems from events that took place shortly after the video became widely circulated online.
She alleged that the chairman visited her family home later that day, accompanied by several individuals she described as associates or supporters.
According to her, the chairman arrived around midday on Sunday and confronted her mother, accusing her of attempting to tarnish his public image through her online post.
Winnie claimed the chairman expressed anger that the video had attracted numerous phone calls and public criticism directed at his office.
She further alleged that during the confrontation, the chairman ordered his brother, identified as Monday Chita Epelle, to punish her physically for what he reportedly described as disrespect to his office.
The assault allegation intensified when Winnie recounted how the man allegedly forced his way into the compound after pushing open the gate to their residence.
She told journalists that she was physically attacked and repeatedly beaten during the incident.
According to her, the situation escalated when the attacker allegedly grabbed her neck and attempted to strangle her during the confrontation.
Winnie said she feared for her life at that moment and believes the attack could have resulted in severe consequences if help had not arrived.
She explained that neighbors who heard the commotion rushed into the compound and intervened, eventually stopping the attack.
The young woman also claimed that the chairman remained present during the incident along with his security personnel, but no effort was made to halt the assault.
As part of the assault allegation, she stated that the incident left her with injuries, particularly around her neck, which she said were still visible when she addressed journalists.
The incident has since sparked public debate on social media, where many users are demanding accountability and calling for an independent investigation into the claims.
Others have also renewed discussions about the condition of public schools in rural communities and the responsibility of local authorities to maintain educational infrastructure.
While the assault allegation continues to generate reactions, observers say the issue also highlights the challenges faced by citizens who use social media to draw attention to community problems.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the chairman regarding the accusations made by Winnie Mila.
However, concerned residents and civil society voices are urging authorities to investigate both the alleged attack and the condition of the school that initially triggered the controversy.
The development has added to ongoing conversations about governance, transparency, and the role of citizens in holding public officials accountable for the welfare of their communities.
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