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Suspected thugs attack protesters, journalists in Asaba
Suspected thugs, yesterday, attacked some residents of Asaba, taking part in the peaceful nationwide hunger protest and four journalists covering the street march by the protesters.
The journalists, who were manhandled by the thugs, included Mathew Ochei of the Punch, Monday Osayande of the Guardian, the Pointer reporter, Lucy, and an Asaba-based investigative journalist, Amour Udemude.
The protesters accused the State Government of hiring the thugs “to disrupt the protest”.
The Tide source reports that the protest, which started around 10 am, was initially peaceful.
It later turned violent when the thugs arrived at about 11:20 and started attacking and dispersing the protesters, while the security operatives deployed to ensure that the action was not hijacked by hoodlums allegedly watched.
Narrating his experience, the Punch reporter said that the thugs hit him in the neck.
“They smashed our phones on the ground after they insisted that we must delete the photos and records before they would leave us.
“The policemen on ground folded their hands and watched as we were violently attacked by the thugs.
“It took the intervention of soldiers, who arrived at the scene, to rescue us.
“This was after the Pointer Newspaper reporter, Lucy, who was also attacked by the thugs, rushed to the soldiers for help,” Ochei said.
It was further learnt that after the attack, the policemen opened teargas to disperse the protesters around 12:20 pm at the Inter Bua Roundabout on the Okpanam Road.
The Tide source further reports that the protest, which started with two young men carrying placards, later drew no fewer than 50 other protesters carrying placards with the inscription, #EndBadGovernance#, hardship everywhere, hunger in the land”, among others.
One of the protesters, Gibson Umunna, told The Tide source that he was compelled to join the protest due to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
“I am here to join the protest because I am a victim of the harsh economic reality facing the citizens.
“Citizens are living in despair, no food, no security, no job, and to worsen it all, petrol price skyrocketed in a nation of abundant resources,” Umunna said.
In a reaction, the Delta Government denied the allegation that it sponsored the thugs that attacked the protesters and journalists covering the action.
The Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, told newsmen that “there is no iota of truth that the thugs were sponsored by the State Government”.
Osuoza said that the administration of Gov. Sherrif Oborevwori had nothing against the protest and never made any plan nor arrangement to stop it.
“We are very sorry for this unfortunate incident.
“The State Government has no hand in the attack and no one sent the attackers.
“As a government, we want to express our heartfelt condolences over this attack on journalists.
“Also, the PDP did not send anybody to disrupt the protest, because I called the PDP chairman and he confirmed there was no such plan to stop the protest by the party.
“Even the state governor himself is never a violent man.
“The government has no business in disrupting the protest because by law, the citizens have a right to protest.
“Our only concern and prayer is that the protest should not be hijacked and turned violent. We are sorry for the whole incident.
Also, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Festus Ahon, expressed dismay over the media reports linking the State Government with the attack on journalists.
“Let me put the record straight, the attackers were not sponsored by the State Government nor the state PDP.
“They went there on their own, may be out of over zealousness.
“The State Government has no hand in what happened and we condemn the attack in its entirety,” Ahon said.
When contacted, the Spokesman for the state Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, said he was not aware of the incident because he was not at the scene.
“I cannot say what actually happened during the protest because I was not there,” Edafe said.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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