By TERKULA IGIDI

Pandemonium at the New M & M Event Centre adjacent Nicon Luxury Hotel, Area 11, Abuja, venue of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) promotion examination when the Federal Capital Territory Administration ((FCTA) Taskforce on Enforcement of COVID-19 Protocols stopped the exercise.

The taskforce led by the taskforce’s head of media and enlightenment, Ikharo Attah, stopped the examination from holding, raising concerns over violations of COVID-19 safety protocols.

But there was resistance from some staff of the NSITF, insisting protocols were being followed.

Some of the angry staff nearly mobbed a police officer, ASP Abubakar Sanni, who insisted the staff must leave immediately.

Journalists were also threatened and asked to leave as they tried to capture the melee that ensued.

Daily Trust observed that the tents hosting the examination were overcrowded with many people not observing social distancing or wearing mask properly.

Mr. Attah explained that the examination was stopped because the NSITF did not obtain permit to hold the exercise in the first place and, the agency also failed to control the crowd.

“The management insisted they got permission to hold the examination but they failed to provide proof of such permission,” Attah added.

Some staff who were happy the exercise was disrupted, said over 1200 staff were sitting for the promotion examination which was supposed to be held about 2 years ago.

A source who craved anonymity said staff from Abuja Zone, comprising of Kogi, Nasarawa, Minna and Kwara States, converged on the venue. (Daily Trust)