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Hunger Protest Turns Violent in Delta, Local Council Chairman Narrowly Escapes Lynching
A hunger protest in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, escalated into violence on Friday after police allegedly shot and injured a protester at the Otovwodo axis of the East-West Road.
The incident led to protesters burning tyres and pelting local government officials with sachet water. For the second consecutive day, protesters gathered at the Otovwodo junction, causing significant traffic delays on the East-West Road, stranding travelers between Benin and Port Harcourt for hours.
Following the alleged police shooting, the protesters, including market women, chased away the Chairman of Ughelli North LGA, Jaro Egbo, and his aides when his motorcade appeared at the scene. Egbo narrowly escaped being lynched by the angry crowd, who accused him of ordering his aides to disperse the protesters.
Efe Ekete, the press secretary to the Council Chairman, denied the allegation, stating that Egbo had come to appeal to the protesters not to attack the security agents.
A protester, who wished to remain anonymous, told journalists, “We were not carrying anything dangerous except for the placards when the police double-crossed us and started shooting tear gas. As they were driving away, they opened fire on the protesters, and one person was hit in the chest.”
The injured protester was rushed to a hospital by security agents.
Human rights activist Comrade Silver blamed the police from ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, and Ughelli Police Area Command for arresting and shooting at the protesters. Silver said, “I pleaded with the protesters not to disrupt the Otovwodo market because today is market day, and hoodlums could take advantage to loot goods. I saw police officers chasing a car, stopping the driver, and tear gassing the occupants. The market women and protesters resisted, and the police started shooting tear gas and live bullets.”
Silver continued, “I learned they shot a person. Though I did not see him, I was told that the Army rushed him to the hospital.”
When contacted, the leader of the military personnel deployed to Otovwodo junction, Bukar Dabo, said he did not witness anyone being shot by the police, as some claimed.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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