Police special constabularies being owed 18 months’ salaries have narrated their ordeals, saying the situation is dehumanising them.
They staged a protest in Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday where they claimed that even okada (commercial motorcycle riders) are sleeping with their wives probably in exchange for money.
As ‘Premium Times’ reports, they were dressed in the police uniform and carried placards with inscriptions like “Pay us now,” “We’re dying,” We’re hungry,” “18 months no kobo,” “Okada riders are sleeping with our wives,” among others.
The constabularies said they were committed to their duties despite the fact that they were not paid.
Tijani Adewale, one of the aggrieved constabularies, said three of his colleagues have lost their lives in the course of discharging their duties.
“We lost three persons in Ikire and one in Iree. These people died in the course of discharging their duty,” he said.
“We are very dutiful despite the fact that we have not been paid a dime. Due to unpaid allowances, tricycle and Okada riders have snatched our wives because of inability to take care of them,” he said.
“We have gone to the local government, honourables, and dignitaries and yet nothing is done.”
It quotes another one, Ibrahim Adenekan, a father of two,
As saying he could not take care of his family because he had not been paid for 18 months.
“I have two children and a wife. I have not been able to provide for their needs since I started working. What is the essence of working? They should just pay our money, that is what we want,” he said.
Police Commissioner in the state, Adewale Olokode, however cautioned them against airing their grievances in an unlawful manner.
He said, “You are embarrassing the force with your protest, you should have channeled your grievances to the appropriate quarters. It’s just like you are disturbing public peace with your protests. As far as you are wearing this uniform, we expect you to maintain a high level of discipline as a force man.”
