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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.
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.