NGO holds free HIV test in army barracks, prisons

February 6, 2007 :: Abubakar Yakubu,Abuja Daily Trust,Abuja,

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) on AIDS counselling and testing recently carried out a free counselling and HIV status test on soldiers from the 177 Guards Battalion, Keffi. The test opportunity was also offered to prison officials as well as inmates.

The NGO, Safe Environment Watch (SEW) organised the exercise with the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria in order to ascertain the combat readiness of the officials.

 A press statement signed by Umar Abdullahi Ujih for SEW said the NGO's scientists and officials worked round the clock to see that the HIV / Aids testing and counselling exercise was successful.

"The NGO is very happy with the warm reception accorded to them by the commanding officer 177 Guards' Battalion, Keffi and the assistant controller of prisons, Keffi," the statement stated.