News

Just In: ‘SARS Must Go’ Protest Went Sour In Edo

Published

5 years ago

October 8, 2020

Vehicular and human traffic was disrupted for several hours Thursday at the central of Benin poplarly called ring road, and adjoining roads including Akpakpava Road, Airport Road, Sokponba road, Sapele road and others as hundreds of youths under the aegis of National Association of Edo Students (NAES), and coalition of civil society organisations staged a ‘SARS must go’ protest.

The peaceful protest went sour when the group arrived at the state headquarters of the State Police Command.

The protesters wanted to prevent a police van from entering the premises but the police vehicle ignored them and wanted to run into them, leading to some of the protesters jumping into the side drains of the road and in the process sustained injuries.

The protesters who wore all black attires carried placards bearing inscriptions such as: ‘end SARS before they end us’; ‘end SARS brutality now’; ‘we are not criminals, we are Nigerians’; ‘no to SARS’; ‘no to police reforms, amongst others, lamented that SARS treat them like second class citizens in their own country.

Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the youths, Okunbo Omokaro noted that if SARS must exist in the country they must operate within the ambit of the law that set them up.

He said, “We have become second class citizens in our country, the youths of this nation no longer fear armed robbers and other criminals but rather SARS and other tactical units of Nigerian Police Force.

They have put fears in us and we have become second class citizens in our country. We are here to say no to SARS and if SARS must exist, they must operate within the law that set them up, SARS is supposed to be anti-robbery, Anti-cultism is supposed to be anti-cult, anti-kidnapping is supposed to be anti-kidnapping, but every morning police go to their station, sign up arms and go to the street and use it against innocent citizens and intimidate and extort Nigerian youths”

Also speaking, Miss Precious Oruche said; “I am putting it to the authorities that if they don’t scrap SARS then they are saying they are in support the evils SARS have been doing. These men go around and pick boys and girls randomly, and bail that is supposed to be free, they collect hundreds of thousands of naira from them”.

The protesters

However, receiving the protesters, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Finance and Administration, Kanayo Valentine, said the grievances of the protesters would be addressed.

On his part, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor said the Edo State Command has already complied with the directive of the Inspector General of Police.

He said, “We all feel your pains but I want to tell you that the errors of some unscrupulous policemen cannot be rubbed to other good ones. I must tell you that since the pronouncement of the restriction of routine patrol by the IG, the Edo state police command has fully complied with that directive and that is why today, you are not seeing any resemblance of SARS anywhere. We are in full compliance of that directive.”

News

Police Deny Opening Recruitment Portal, Warn Nigerians Against Fake Adverts

Published

23 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Police Service Commission has debunked reports circulating on social media and several unofficial websites claiming that it has opened a portal for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commission described the publications as fake, warning that they were created by fraudsters seeking to deceive and exploit unsuspecting Nigerians.

In a statement published on its official website on Monday, the PSC said it had not commenced any recruitment exercise.

“The general public is hereby informed that these publications are fake and entirely misleading.

“They are the handiwork of fraudsters attempting to exploit innocent citizens,” the Commission said.

It added that no recruitment portal had been opened by the Commission.

“There is currently no ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Police Service Commission has not opened any portal for such an exercise,” the statement added.

The PSC stressed that whenever recruitment begins, the announcement will be made strictly through authorised platforms.

According to the statement, official channels include advertisements in reputable national newspapers, announcements posted on the Commission’s verified website (www.psc.gov.ng), and formal press releases.

“We urge Nigerians to rely only on information published through these official channels.

“Any recruitment portal not listed on our website is fraudulent and should be reported to the police,” the commission said.

The PSC advised the public to ignore the fake recruitment claims to avoid falling victim to scams.

The PUNCH had reported that the Police Service Commission has cautioned Nigerians seeking a career in the Nigeria Police Force to beware of fake recruitment adverts circulating online, insisting that it has not yet commenced the 2025 recruitment exercise.

News

FG Begins Free Liver, Kidney Tests For People Living With HIV

Published

23 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government on Monday announced that it has begun providing People Living with HIV/AIDS access to free annual liver and kidney function tests through expanded health insurance coverage.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said this during the commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day, organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, and other partners in Abuja, themed, “Overcoming disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV response.”

World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, promote global solidarity, and review progress in combating the epidemic.

It also serves as a platform to reinforce commitment toward eliminating HIV and ensuring access to treatment for all affected individuals.

Salako said, “We are beginning to provide people living with HIV/AIDS with access to annual liver and kidney function tests through expanded health insurance coverage.

“We are also moving steadily towards full integration of HIV, TB, malaria, nutrition, and the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme in Nigeria as one service that can be accessed in one location at any point in time.

“This integrated approach will ensure that children and adolescents can access multiple essential services during a single visit, thereby improving health outcomes.”

He noted that during the 66th National Council on Health in Calabar, the consent age for voluntary HIV counseling and testing was reduced from 18 to 14 years to increase testing rates among adolescents, leading to earlier diagnosis, better access to care, and a reduction in transmission.

The minister added that the NCH also approved the institutionalisation of the National Clinical Mentorship Programme within the health system and urged states to integrate clinical mentorship activities into their annual operational plans and budgets.

“This is going to help ensure that persons living with HIV remain on treatment and prevent loss to follow-up.

“I call on all stakeholders—states, partners, civil society, communities, and the private sector—to strengthen collaboration, scale innovation, and accelerate our march toward the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat,” he said.

The Director General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, stated that despite unprecedented disruptions—including the global pandemic, economic uncertainty, fluctuating donor support, and shifts in global health financing—Nigeria is on track to meet the 2030 target of ending HIV.

“We have maintained an impressive 87–98–95 performance toward the global 95–95–95 targets, demonstrating significant progress in diagnosis, treatment coverage, and viral suppression across the country.

“Eighty-seven per cent of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status; 98 per cent of those who know their status are on life-saving treatment; and 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression—meaning they cannot transmit HIV.

“In the last decade, Nigeria has recorded a 46 per cent decline in new HIV infections, and more Nigerians living with HIV are enrolled and retained in care than ever before,” she emphasised.

The President of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, Abdulkadiri Ibrahim, advocated for domestic HIV funding and stressed the need to address gaps in PMTCT, improve community engagement, and promote viral load testing.

“Drugs are available, but there are elements that need more attention, such as community engagement for retention.

“We need to discuss adherence, counseling, psychosocial support, follow-up for those who miss their appointments, and improve access to viral load testing,” he said.

Also speaking, the UN Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, advocated for domestic financing, protection of human rights, community empowerment, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s health system to enhance resilience, increase efficiency, and expand equitable access.

“Together, we will sustain the response. Together, we will overcome distractions. Together, we will build a future where every person can live with health, dignity, and hope,” she noted.

News

FG Approves Promotion Of Over 24,000 Paramilitary Officers

Published

32 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 24,202 senior officers across the four paramilitary agencies under its supervision.

The Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Board, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this on Monday in Abuja.

He was represented by the Board’s Secretary, Abdulmalik Jubril.

According to the minister, the newly promoted officers constitute the second batch of senior personnel elevated in 2025.

The affected agencies are the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

A breakdown of the figures shows that 11,426 officers were promoted in the Correctional Service, 4,336 in the Immigration Service, 2,581 in the Fire Service, and 5,859 in the Civil Defence Corps.

“From the 24,202 promoted officers: NCoS recorded 11,426; NIS, 4,336; FFS, 2,581; while 5,859 were elevated in NSCDC.

“The promotion was based on various parameters, including national spread, good records, ratification, performance and vacancy availability.

“The promotion is aimed at boosting the morale of personnel to ensure proper service delivery in their respective agencies,” he said.

He noted that promotions had stagnated in previous years but said the current administration was committed to improving personnel welfare to strengthen the fight against insecurity.

“In the recent past, promotion had been stagnant, but this administration is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of personnel to tackle the insecurity bedevilling the country.

“Among the several incentives introduced in the ministry, this is particularly worthy of note,” the minister said.

In 2024, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board promoted 20,867 senior officers across the paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior.

The exercise, which cut across various ranks, formed part of ongoing efforts to address delays in career progression and improve staff welfare.