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Wike Flags Off Health Insurance Enrollment for Inmates; Over 1,500 to Benefit Across FCT Correctional Facilities(Photos)

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday flagged off a landmark free health insurance enrolment and comprehensive medical outreach for inmates across correctional facilities in the FCT, with over 1,500 inmates expected to benefit from the programme.

The exercise, which commenced at the Medium security Custordial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, marks the first time inmates in the FCT are being formally enrolled into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) with plans to extend the initiative to Gwagwalada and Suleja correctional facilities.

The initiative is driven by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who stressed that, incarceration must not deny individuals access to quality healthcare and other basic rights. He directed the Health Services and Environment Secretariat to implement the intervention as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda for inclusive healthcare.

At the flag-off, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, led the rollout of both the medical outreach and enrolment exercise at Kuje.

She noted that, the programme is anchored on the principle of Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that no one is left behind regardless of social or legal status. According to her, inmates enrolled under FHIS will have access to consultations, laboratory and radiology services, emergency care, surgeries, and essential medications at no cost.

The exercise also included National Identification Number (NIN) capture to support proper identification and seamless enrolment into the health insurance database.

Health education sessions were conducted during the outreach, where inmates were sensitised on hygiene, disease prevention, and the importance of health insurance. They were also encouraged with assurances that they remain part of the society and are entitled to dignity, care, and hope for reintegration.

During the visit, Fasawe engaged directly with inmates and encouraged them by patronising their creative works. She purchased inmate-made crafts such as sandals, books, liquid soap, and bags and made cash donations in support of the fashion training class, reinforcing the importance of skills acquisition, productivity, and self-reliance within the facility.

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She delivered a message of hope, renewal, and reintegration, urging inmates to view their current situation as a phase of transformation rather than a final definition of their lives, and to remain focused on becoming productive members of their families and society upon release.

Dr. Fasawe further assured that, the clinic within the correctional centre would receive sustained support, including a steady supply of drugs and medical consumables, noting that essential medications would no longer be unavailable. She also stated that steps were underway to strengthen and accredit the facility’s medical centre for improved service delivery.

She commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for prioritising healthcare within correctional institutions, expressing satisfaction with the available medical infrastructure and calling for its proper utilisation and maintenance. The cleanliness and orderliness of the facility were also noted by the Mandate Secretary.

Again, Dr. Fasawe also commended the leadership and staff of the correctional centre, led by Comptroller Peter Jen and Deputy Comptroller Rasheed Ogundare, as well as the FHIS team led by Dr. Salamatu Belgore, for their cooperation and successful implementation of the programme.

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As part of the outreach, inmates benefited from a wide range of services, including blood pressure checks, blood glucose screening, malaria testing and treatment, eye examinations, medical consultations, and dispensing of prescribed medications.

In total, over 550 inmates were screened for hypertension, diabetes, and malaria; about 380 prescriptions were dispensed; over 230 inmates received eye screenings, with more than 130 provided with corrective glasses; while over 250 National Identification Number captures and health insurance enrolments were completed across participating facilities.

Additional support items, including medications, consumables, cooking gas for junior staff, and medical supplies, were donated to ensure continuity of care, with plans already underway for sustained drug supply and improved facility accreditation.

The Deputy Comptroller of the Kuje Correctional Centre, Rasheed Ogundare, described the intervention as unprecedented, noting that it was the first comprehensive government-led healthcare support extended to inmates in the facility. He expressed appreciation to the FCTA and called for similar interventions in other institutions.

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Inmates expressed gratitude through songs, dance, and gestures of appreciation as they received medical attention, refreshments, and encouragement, reflecting Renewed Hope for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

The FCTA reaffirmed its commitment to expanding equitable healthcare access to all vulnerable populations across the Federal Capital Territory.

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Just in: FRSC Starts 2026 Nationwide Recruitment

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has officially commenced its 2026 nationwide recruitment exercise, beckoning on qualified Nigerians to apply for various positions across its Officer, Marshal Inspectorate and Road Marshal Assistant cadres.

According to the Corps, the online application portal opened on Friday, July 3, 2026, and will remain accessible for four weeks. The recruitment exercise is completely free, with the agency warning applicants not to pay any individual or organization claiming to facilitate employment.

Interested applicants are required to submit their applications through the official FRSC recruitment portal at HERE

Available Cadres
The recruitment covers three major categories:

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Officer Cadre – Open to holders of B.Sc., BA, HND and other relevant professional qualifications.

Marshal Inspectorate Cadre – Available for candidates with qualifications such as ND, NCE and other approved credentials.
Road Marshal Assistant Cadre – Includes opportunities for eligible SSCE holders, artisans and drivers, depending on the position.
Required Documents
Applicants are advised to prepare the following before beginning their application:

National Identification Number (NIN)
Educational certificates
Birth certificate or age declaration
Recent passport photograph
NYSC discharge, exemption or exclusion certificate (where applicable)
The FRSC also advises applicants to use their personal email address and phone number during registration and to ensure all information provided is accurate. Shortlisted candidates will be required to present printed copies of their completed application forms during the screening process.

The Corps urged interested Nigerians seeking a career in the Federal Government to apply early in order to avoid heavy traffic on the recruitment portal before the application window closes.

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Finally, US Confirms Withdrawal Of Troops From Nigeria

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The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence sharing and other security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the development during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.

He said the partnership between Washington and Abuja remained active, particularly in intelligence operations targeting the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).

According to Anderson, the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.

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However, he noted that the United States would continue providing intelligence assistance at the request of the Nigerian government.

“And so that operation in the Lake Chad Basin of Nigeria not only helped the countries in that immediate region; it also helps countries globally as that disrupts the ISIS network,” Anderson said.

“And so — and then we have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing and the understanding that’s necessary to be able to prosecute these difficult tasks,” he added.

The US Air Force commander described Nigeria as a key regional partner with a capable military, saying the collaboration between both nations had produced notable gains in the fight against ISIS.

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He credited intelligence cooperation between the two countries for enabling an operation that eliminated the second-highest-ranking figure in the global ISIS network.

“I think there partnership that we’ve shown recently with Nigeria, where Nigeria’s a very capable and large country — it’s got a strong economy; it’s got a large, educated population; it’s got a very capable military.

“But there are things that we have learned in the counterterrorist fight over several years that we were able to assist and integrate with them to help them with their intelligence and help with the intelligence sharing that eventually led to a cooperative effort to where we were able to bring some unique capabilities that the U.S. brings and be able to prosecute together the number two leader within the ISIS or Daesh organization who is responsible for much of their global operations, their global media, and their recruiting”, he said.

Anderson said the operation underscored the effectiveness of intelligence collaboration over prolonged foreign troop deployments.

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“So I think as we go forward, that is an example of how we’re looking at engaging with partners to help them be more effective by only bringing unique U.S. capabilities that allow the partner to be effective in these fights,” he said.

He also called for deeper intelligence cooperation among African countries to tackle terrorism, drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes.

The US commander cited a recent multinational operation that intercepted a record 31-ton shipment of cocaine originating from South America and passing through the West African coastline, saying effective intelligence sharing made the seizure possible.

“I was able to coordinate through our interagency in the United States, through AFRICOM, and then notify some of the partners. And eventually it was a Spanish ship that interdicted the ship that had 31 tons of cocaine on it, and it turns out is the largest interdiction of drugs at sea that we’ve ever seen,” Anderson said.

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He added that sustained collaboration among African governments, international allies and private-sector stakeholders would be vital to confronting security challenges while fostering economic growth and attracting investment across the continent.

The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to assist with intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin as both countries expanded cooperation against ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the region.

The deployment came after US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and pledged increased American support for counterterrorism efforts.

On December 25, 2025, US forces carried out air strikes on two terrorist camps in the Bauni Forest, located in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

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The security partnership reached a major milestone in May 2026 when a joint US-Nigerian operation killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, during a raid on his hideout in Borno State.

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Ogoni family demands justice for son arrested at age 14, jailed 18 years without trial

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An Ogoni family in Rivers State has instituted legal proceedings against the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government and the Federal Ministry of Interior over the alleged unlawful detention of their son, Gospel Kinanee, who spent 18 years in prison without trial after he was reportedly arrested as a 14-year-old boy.

The lawsuit follows Gospel’s recent release from custody after nearly two decades behind bars, a period during which he was allegedly denied his constitutional right to a fair hearing and access to legal representation.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News, Gospel’s elder brother, Paul Kinanee, narrated the family’s painful ordeal, describing the years of uncertainty as one marked by relentless searches, emotional trauma and devastating loss.News

According to him, Gospel disappeared one night in 2007, prompting family members to launch an extensive search across Rivers State. They visited several police stations, detention centres and correctional facilities in a desperate attempt to locate him, but every effort proved unsuccessful.

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Paul disclosed that the family even searched the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre, where Gospel was unknowingly being held, but officials reportedly informed them that no inmate bearing his name was in custody.

He said the prolonged uncertainty over Gospel’s whereabouts had a profound emotional impact on the family, adding that both their mother and father died without ever knowing what had happened to their son.

The family’s search came to an unexpected end when a lawyer conducting a routine visit to the prison noticed an inmate whose appearance matched descriptions of the missing teenager. Suspecting he could be the long-lost Gospel, the lawyer later returned to the facility with Paul Kinanee, who immediately recognised his younger brother.

By the time of the reunion, Gospel was 32 years old, having spent more than half of his life in detention.

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According to his family, the years of incarceration without trial, combined with prolonged isolation and harsh prison conditions, have left him with serious psychological and mental health challenges, making his rehabilitation a major concern.

Reports indicate that throughout his detention, Gospel was never formally tried before a court of law and was allegedly denied access to legal counsel, raising significant concerns over due process and the protection of fundamental human rights within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.Demographics

His freedom eventually came during a jail delivery exercise conducted by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, who reviewed the cases of inmates awaiting trial. Gospel was among 21 inmates ordered to be released during the exercise after it was discovered that they had been unlawfully or excessively detained.

The Kinanee family is now seeking substantial financial compensation and judicial accountability, arguing that the prolonged detention robbed Gospel of his childhood, education, opportunities and good health.

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They contend that the actions and alleged negligence of the relevant authorities caused irreversible damage to both Gospel and the entire family, which endured years of anguish while desperately searching for him.

The case has sparked renewed public concern over prolonged detention without trial in Nigeria and has intensified calls for comprehensive reforms aimed at preventing similar miscarriages of justice within the country’s criminal justice and correctional systems.

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