NEWS
Hunger Protests: GOCOP Condemns Security Agents’ Attacks On Journalists
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has condemned, in very strong terms, the serial attacks on journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest, describing the act as undemocratic and repressive.
This was detailed in a statement jointly signed by its President, Maureen Chigbo and General Secretary, Collins Edomaruse.
The GOCOP’s statement pointed out that journalists are partners in national development as well as critical stakeholders in the advancement of democracy and civil liberties, which make it imperative for them to be protected, and not suppressed as the security agents tried to do during the protest.
The body of online publishers specifically calls on relevant authorities in Nigeria, especially security agencies, to see journalists as partners and voices of the voiceless rather than treat them as meddlesome interlopers and enemies of the people.
Citing growing harassment of journalists including the denial of their fundamental right to life in the course of discharging their duties, the GOCOP “appeals to Nigerian security agencies to ensure the safety of all journalists especially during protests, riots and elections”, the statement noted.
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The GOCOP expressed the view that the media has the capacity to support peace and reconciliation processes among political actors, between leaders and their followers and among the various ethnic nationalities in the country, hence should be allowed to play its constitutional role.
Aggregating statistics from various media reports, the GOCOP stated that over 30 journalists had been attacked across Nigeria during the protest which commenced on August 1.
Media houses which have had their staffers attacked with their tools (phones and cameras either seized or destroyed) include Premium Times, Daily Independent, The Punch, TVC News, The Guardian, and Pointer newspaper, among others.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to protest, the GOCOP cautions that on no account should any protest go beyond the bounds of peace and turn violent thereby creating opportunity for looters and hoodlums to hijack what was intended to be a peaceful show of anger against bad governance.
Consequently, the GOCOP “condemns the violence that attended the protests in some parts of the country, it urges the security agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute those found culpable in visiting mayhem and destruction on the nation and the citizenry”, it added.
In the same vein, the GOCOP also strongly condemns the subversive actions of some disgruntled Nigerians in cahoots with foreigners who during the protest sewed, distributed and flew Russian flags in some states and called for unconstitutional change of government.
According to the GOCOP, such act as not only subversive but a direct affront on the sovereignty of the nation.
It called on the Federal Government to ensure the diligent prosecution of those involved in such act that impugns the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria.
The GOCOP appeals to President Bola Tinubu who for most part of his life championed the cause of democracy and independence of the media to prevail on the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police to stop forthwith any form of harassment, intimidation, attack and arrest of journalists legitimately discharging their constitutionally assigned duties.
It noted that media suppression does not only project Nigeria in bad light, it portrays the Tinubu government as a dictatorship in a democracy.
The GOCOP urges journalists to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties by operating within the ambit of professionalism, fairness and factuality.
The Presidency has highlighted major development projects across Nigeria’s North Central region under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, covering eight key sectors, including road infrastructure, power, agriculture, education, aviation and security.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication and Presidential Spokesperson, disclosed this on Sunday, November 15, 2026, in a post on his X account.
According to Dare, the projects are designed to improve regional connectivity, expand economic opportunities, strengthen food security and promote development across communities in the region.
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He highlighted interventions spanning major road construction, renewable energy, agricultural support, educational development, security infrastructure and empowerment programmes.
In the road infrastructure sector, the listed projects include the Mararaban Jama’a–Pankshin–Langtang–Shendam–River Ibi corridor dual carriageway, Phase II rehabilitation of the Babban-Lamba–Sharan Road and construction of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway.
Others include the construction of the 600-metre Akwanga Underpass, completion of the Lafia Bypass, reconstruction of the Bali–Serti–Gembu Road and construction of the Gembu–Mbamnga–Yang Road, which commenced in early 2025. Improvement works are also listed along the Jalingo–Wukari corridor.
In the aviation sector, the government highlighted approval for the construction of an airstrip on the Mambilla Plateau.
The power and renewable energy initiatives include a 40-megawatt hydropower plant at the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, expected to supply electricity to the national grid, as well as irrigation channels to support year-round farming.
Other interventions include the deployment of solar-powered mini-grids, installation of solar streetlights and provision of solar home systems to households.
On agriculture and food security, the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme is expected to provide farmers with improved seedlings, fertiliser and agricultural training.
The list also includes support for hybrid potato farming, expansion of irrigated farmland through dam infrastructure and development of agricultural processing centres.
For women and youth empowerment, the initiatives include agricultural support for women and young farmers through the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative.
Vocational skills development and certification for women, start-up grants for small businesses, market women empowerment through business training and start-up tools, as well as rural grants and skills development programmes, are also highlighted.
In education, the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa is listed for transformation into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, alongside expanded scholarship opportunities and improved access to higher education.
On security, the government outlined plans for the establishment of a new Army Division in Jalingo, Taraba State, alongside strengthened security deployment to protect farming communities and improve safety.
The eighth area focuses on regional development, with the North Central Development Commission identified as a long-term regional development initiative. Additional federal road projects are also expected to improve connectivity and support economic activities.
Dare’s disclosure highlights the administration’s focus on infrastructure expansion, agricultural productivity, energy access and human capital development as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Jos, Plateau State, alongside his wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in the state.
The visit is part of the Tinubu–Shettima campaign’s engagements as the ruling party seeks to secure support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The campaign’s visit to Plateau is expected to highlight the Federal Government’s infrastructure and economic development projects in the state, particularly those aimed at improving road connectivity, boosting commerce and supporting agricultural activities.
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Among the projects highlighted by the administration is the ongoing 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos highway, which forms part of the Akwanga–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri Superhighway.
Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Sharram–Garram–Babban Lamba Road in Kanke and the approved Mararaban Jama’a–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–Ibi Road, which is expected to improve connectivity between Plateau and Taraba states.
The administration says the projects are part of its broader development agenda to connect communities, facilitate access to markets and provide farmers and businesses with improved infrastructure.
The APC campaign is expected to use the rally to present the administration’s achievements and future plans while seeking the confidence of Plateau residents to continue its development agenda beyond 2027.
The Ogun State Police Command has presented cheques totalling ₦10.65 million to families and next-of-kin of deceased police officers who served under the command, as part of efforts to support dependants of personnel who died in active service.
The cheques, amounting to ₦10,658,391.36, were presented on Saturday, November 14, 2026, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, anipr, and dated November 14, 2026.
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The presentation took place at the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, under the Nigeria Police Force Group Life Assurance and the IGP Family Welfare Schemes.
The initiatives are designed to provide financial assistance to families of police officers who lost their lives while serving the country.
Accompanied by members of the Command Management Team, Ojajuni personally handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries.
Addressing the recipients, the police commissioner reaffirmed the Inspector-General’s commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.
He described the widows and families of the deceased officers as the “true superheroes”, acknowledging their resilience in coping with the loss of their loved ones who died in service to the nation.
Ojajuni noted that the financial intervention was a demonstration of the Force’s appreciation and institutional responsibility to support the families of fallen officers.
He said the initiative represented the Nigeria Police Force’s enduring commitment to standing by the dependants of personnel who paid the ultimate price in active service.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ejembi Ada Veronica thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Ogun State Police Command for remembering their families and providing financial assistance.
She assured the authorities that the money would be channelled towards the education, upkeep and general welfare of the children and dependants left behind by the deceased officers.
According to her, the intervention would provide timely relief and help improve the stability of the affected families.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to supporting the families of fallen officers, assuring them of its continued solidarity.
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