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Army Moves To Secure East-West Road
Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta code-named Operation Delta Safe (ODS), has assured of security reinforcement to ensure adequate security on the East-West Road and the entire region, for people going home for the Yuletide.
Nigerian Army Commander of ODS, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, who spoke in Yenagoa, said the planned security reinforcement was informed by the high volume of traffic on the road, which straddles the six states of the Niger Delta.
Apochi, who took over from Rear Admiral J.O Okojie, also warned that the few disgruntled elements in the region such as militants, kidnappers and oil thieves, would no longer be allowed to hold the nation to ransom.
He said: “ODS will continue to ensure the sanity of the Niger Delta region even in this Yuletide, by reinforcing security on the East-West Road. I wish to appreciate members of the public for their continuous cooperation, timely provision of information to troops and re-assure residents, host communities and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region of their safety as they go about their legitimate businesses.”
On the successes recorded so far by troops in the fight against militants and pipeline vandals, Apochi charged surveillance contractors in the region to be proactive in carrying out their duties.
“It has been revealed that some of their workers connive with criminals to commit acts of vandalism. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of your workers is as important as the responsibility of protecting these critical national assets,” he said.
According to him, “the security outfit will not spare any person, group of persons or community in the region that harbours criminals that kill any of its soldiers in cold blood.”
Reacting to allegations by some communities in the region that ODS troops were invading and intimidating members of their communities, he said, “Nothing goes for nothing. I believe the presence of the military in a community must have been caused by actions or inactions of criminals in the community.”
The commander also urged the oil companies to closely monitor the activities of the contractors, noting that companies whose staff found wanting would be held accountable for any breach of pipeline.
As for the host communities, he admonished them to work closely with surveillance contractors in the protection of pipelines across the communities and environs.
“Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure the interest of communities as entered into by oil companies in the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) and no community should take law into its hands by blocking the operations of oil companies,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.