Police special constabularies in Osun State staged a protest in Osogbo, the capital, on Wednesday against the non-payment of salaries for 18 months.
They converged at the Oke-Fia roundabout, in the city centre, and moved through Alekunwodo to the Olaiya areas of the capital.
They were dressed in the police uniform and carried placards with inscriptions which included “Pay us now,” “We’re dying,” We’re hungry,” “18 months no kobo,” and “Okada riders are sleeping with our wives”.
Some of the protesters told PREMIUM TIMES that their “wives have been snatched because of their inability to provide for their families”.
The constabularies said they were committed to their duties despite the fact that they were not paid.
One of the aggrieved constabularies, Tijani Adewale said three of his colleagues 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.
“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.
“We have gone to the local government, honourables, and dignitaries and yet nothing is done”, he said.
His colleague, Ibrahim Adenekan, who has two children, said 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”.
Another constabulary, who preferred anonymity, said he escaped death when a gang of armed robbers attacked him and his colleagues.
“We are dying. We spent so much at the (Police) College. I have children but it’s 18 months now since I have not been paid.
“Four of us have been killed by armed robbers during attacks in Ikire, Iragbiji, and others. We want our money”, he said.
The state Police Commissioner Adewale Olokode addressed the constabularies and urged them to send their grievances through appropriate channels rather than staging a protest.
“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”, he admonished.
Police spokesperson in the state, Superintendent of Police Yemisi Opalola told PREMIUM TIMES that the police authorities are in a meeting with the constabularies to resolve the crisis.
“Talk to you later. In a serious meeting with the Commissioner of Police, management team and the constabularies”, she said.
Last year, the constabularies in Ekiti State also protested the non-payment of their salaries for nine months.
Story and photo credit: PREMIUM TIMES
