Police officers stationed at NHIS headquarters over workers’ protest

Officers of the Nigeria police force are currently stationed at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) head office in Jabi, Abuja.

The police officers arrived in the premises on Monday morning following rumours of a planned protest by the staff of the agency.

The armed officers are occupying the premises and also stationed along the road in the area.

Last week, the workers protested the reinstatement of Usman Yusuf, executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Some of them vowed not resume until his reinstatement is reversed.

But on Monday, a group of workers loyal to Yusuf staged a counter-protest.

Yusuf was recalled after he was suspended last year over allegations of fraud levelled against him.

Insiders had told TheCable that since his appointment on July 29, 2016, Yusuf had violated procurement laws and dished out contracts to cronies.

TheCable learnt that the final straw that led to his suspension was the alleged purchase of a Prado SUV by Yusuf for N58 million shortly before Ramadan, though his approval limit was N2.5 million.

His suspension at the time had resulted in intrigues after the NHIS ES told the minister he had no power to move against him.