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The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Benin Republic, Ugochukwu Favour has demanded the arrest of investigative reporter Umar Audu. Audu went undercover to expose corruption in the issuance of certificates in the country.
During an interview on Thursday on the Channels TV program Sunrise Daily, Favour criticized the reporter for obtaining certificates and having his passport stamped without being physically present.
Favour raised concerns about the reporter's actions, stating, "Your passport was stamped while you were not available there. Now, and that aside, this guy served in 2019. And he still served again in 2023."
The NANS president accused the reporter of implicating the government and undermining the credibility of agencies such as the Immigration and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by conducting undercover operations.
"He has to be arrested. This guy needs to be arrested because, I know, he’s a reporter who is trying to clear out some things but on that note, you are trying to implicate some persons now because, in a sense, you’re trying to implicate the government, the NYSC, and the immigration," Favour asserted.
When questioned about whether the reporter's efforts exposed loopholes that needed addressing, the NANS president acknowledged the need for scrutiny but urged the government to take swift action. "I’m not doubting that, but then since this is out already, I want to urge the government to look into it and take the necessary steps as fast as possible," he emphasized.
