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PENGASSAN Suspends Strike After Agreement Deal With Dangote 

PENGASSAN Suspends Strike After Agreement Deal With Dangote 

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja 

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its three-day-old industrial action following an agreement brokered by the Federal Government.

In the agreement signed by PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery Group Tuesday night, the company accepted to reabsorb the over 800 staff earlier sacked for joining PENGASSAN.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, PENGASSAN’s President, Festus Osifo, said that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union met and resolved to suspend the strike as a mark of respect following the sacrifices made by Federal Government and other stakeholders to broker peace.

Osifo however said that the agreement did not fully address the demands of PENGASSAN as it failed to give specific guarantees that the sacked workers will be returned to their jobs at the refinery.

He said that the union has accepted the deal even with the grey areas.

The PENGASSAN president also responded to what he described as wrong assertions and misconceptions ascribed to the union as a result of the dispute with Dangote Refinery.

On the allegation of sabotaging the company, Osifo dismissed it, saying that PENGASSAN has members in big multinational oil companies operating in the country and has contributed to their progress and growth. 

He also dismissed the insinuation that the association was after the check off dues that it will get from Dangote Refinery, adding that PENGASSAN is only interested in giving the workers a platform to push for and safeguard their welfare 

Details later…

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Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja  The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its three-day-old industrial action following an agreement brokered by the Federal Government. In

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PSC Unveils Whistle-Blowing Policy to Curb Recruitment Racketeering in Police Force

PSC Unveils Whistle-Blowing Policy to Curb Recruitment Racketeering in Police Force

Linus Aleke in Abuja 

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has unveiled a whistle-blowing policy aimed at tackling racketeering in the recruitment processes of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The commission stated that it is committed to ensuring that recruitment into the NPF is transparent, merit-based and fair. 

It emphasised that the new policy establishes a secure channel for members of the public to report any corruption, fraud or malpractice observed during the police recruitment process.

A statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the goal of the policy is to uphold the principles of good governance and strengthen national security by ensuring that only the most qualified and upright candidates are enlisted.

The commission’s actions, he said, are guided by core principles aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu

He said: “This policy empowers every citizen to act as a watchdog, ensuring that the recruitment process is free from bribery, fraud and unethical influence.”

The commission explained that Nigerians are encouraged to report instances such as the solicitation or acceptance of bribes —whether in cash, gifts or favours — in exchange for recruitment slots or preferential treatment. 

“It also includes manipulation of results in written, physical or medical tests; falsification of credentials, age, certificates, or state of origin with the knowledge of officials; sexual harassment or extortion of candidates; and the presence of ghost candidates or inclusion of names not part of the official recruitment process. 

“Impersonation during examinations or screenings, as well as any other form of undue influence or unethical conduct by recruitment officials or middlemen, are also covered under the policy,” Ani further revealed.

The commission urged individuals, who wish to submit complaints, to ensure their reports are effective by providing as much detail as possible.

It added: “You can also report anonymously, but providing your contact details will assist if further information is needed.”

It further reiterated its commitment to protecting the identity and welfare of individuals who report in good faith.

“All reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Whistle-blowers will be protected from victimisation, intimidation or retaliation, as provided by relevant Nigerian laws.

“The commission’s commitment is that every credible report will be promptly, independently, and thoroughly investigated. It will take decisive disciplinary and legal action against any individual found culpable of recruitment malpractices,” Ani stated.

The commission urged Nigerians to support its efforts to build a better and more professional Nigeria Police Force, stressing that: “Your courage can make the difference.”

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Linus Aleke in Abuja  The Police Service Commission (PSC) has unveiled a whistle-blowing policy aimed at tackling racketeering in the recruitment processes of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The commission

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NAPTIP Storms Abuja Airport, Arrests Five Suspected Human Traffickers, Frees 24 Victims

NAPTIP Storms Abuja Airport, Arrests Five Suspected Human Traffickers, Frees 24 Victims

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, OON has led a high-powered special operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, during which 24 suspected victims of human trafficking were rescued and arrest of five suspected trafficking agents was made.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the agency’s National Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, among the suspected human traffickers arrested at the airport was a retired Senior uniform Officer with one of the foremost Law Enforcement Agency in the country, who is alleged to be a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate operating within the South West region of Nigeria.

He said: “The well-planned action, which was hailed by other travelers at the airport, was a continuation of the newly unveiled anti-human trafficking efforts and onslaught against human trafficking by the Director General, targeting recruitment hubs, trafficking spots, and routes within Nigeria.”

Adekoye recalled that following reported increased cases of recruitment and trafficking of Nigerians for various forms of exploitation both within and outside the country, the Director General of NAPTIP had few months ago ordered a step up surveillance and monitoring of all parts of the country with greater attention on motor parks, waterways in the coaster States as well as International airports.

He disclosed that the latest raid followed a tip-off from concerned stakeholders and partners who alerted to an influx of suspected human trafficking victims at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, and the unwholesome activities of some suspected traffickers.

Adekoye said at the end of nearly six hours of operation, the human trafficking activities were completely disrupted,leading to the arrest of five suspected traffickers and the rescue of 24 suspected victims.

He said the victims whose ages range between 15 years to 26 years were recruited from Kano, Kastina, Oyo, Ondo and Rivers States, and were heading to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.

He noted that while a good number of the suspected victims could not communicate in any other language apart from their dialect, others do not even know the location of their intended country of destination.

He quoted one of the them to have said: “They told my mother that they are taking me to Europe, where I will work and earn dollars. My parent were happy and they allowed me to follow them.”

Adekoye said it was another mild drama at the Headquarters of NAPTIP as one of the victims vowed to ensure the prosecution of her father for deceiving her into embarking on the journey.

He revealed that the drama ensued after the Director General had personally counseled the suspected victims and enlightened them with a series of video clips of some stranded Nigerians and those on life support after being exploited at the destination countries.

The particular suspected victim was quoted to have said: “I struggled to hold my emotions while watching the video of those girls who were being maltreated and beaten by the traffickers. If that is what awaits me there, I will not go. I am seriously annoyed with my father because he deceived me. My father told me that his friend has a job for me at a supermarket in Baghdad. He did not tell me that it is in Iraq. I know that Iraq is not a good place to work for now to work due to the crisis there, but I did not know that Baghdad is in Iraq. I thank the DG and her officers for rescuing me, pls, I just need my passport, I want to go back to my town and settle.

“I will certainly make it here rather than suffer in another country”, the victim, whose father was among the traffickers arrested, added in her local dialect.

Speaking on the development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, expressed sadness over the activities of some suspected human traffickers and unregistered labour recruiters who have continued to deceive, recruit, and traffic Nigerians for various forms of exploitation.

She said: “I am impressed with the outcome of the operation today because we were able to arrest five suspected members of the trafficking gang that have been recruiting and trafficking our citizens to various tension-soaked countries, especially in the Middle East, for exploitation.

“We observed that the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport is becoming a comfort zone for these traffickers, and that is why we have decided to shift attention to this airport. We will sustain this raid until they stop this unpatriotic and illicit trade in human beings.

“I was amazed that a father, who is a retired Law Enforcement Officer of senior cadre, deceived his daughter and packaged her to be trafficked to Iraq for exploitation. This is incredibly unbelievable. Well, all of them will be thoroughly investigated, and they will face the law.

“I sincerely thank and appreciate the Director General of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Manager, and all the wonderful personnel of the authority for their support for us at NAPTIP. I also appreciate the collaboration of the Department of State Service (DSS) operatives at the Airport, the Airport Security Personnel, Immigration Officers,, and airline operators for their support.

“Human trafficking is a visible national concern, and we all must be on the same page to turn the heat on the traffickers. Our resolve to ensure the protection of Nigerians from all forms of exploitation is firm and resolute”, the Director General of NAPTIP declared.

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Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, OON has led a high-powered special operation at the