Police constables protest in Osun over ‘non-payment of salaries for 18 months’

Police constables, on Wednesday, held a protest in Osun state over alleged non-payment of their salaries.

According to NAN, the police constables marched through some areas in Osogbo, the Osun capital, carrying placards with inscriptions that read ‘Pay our Salaries Now’, ‘Some are Dead’, ’18 Months, No Stipends’, and ‘Pay Us our Stipends and Allowances’.

A police constable, who identified himself as Tijani Adewale, told journalists that they had not been paid their salaries for 18 months, since the completion of their training.

Adewale said despite the non-payment of their salaries, they have remained committed to protecting lives and property of citizens.

He said three constables had lost their lives while carrying out their duty, adding that the officers had made efforts to ensure that their salaries were paid, but nothing happened.

Adewale Olokode, commissioner of police in the state, while reacting to the development, asked the officers to stop the protest and forward their demands to the appropriate quarters.

“You are embarrassing the force with your protest. You should have channelled your grievances to the appropriate quarters,” Olokode said.

“It’s just like you are disturbing public peace with your protest. As far as you are wearing this uniform, we expect you to maintain high discipline.”

Meanwhile, a police officer who pleaded anonimity said officers in the state had also not been paid their allowances for covering the July 16 Osun governorship election.

“We have made efforts to find out the reason for the non-payment and we have not gotten any concrete feedback from the force headquarters,” NAN qouted the officer as saying.

“It is against the code of service to protest in demand for the allowance, but we are appealing to the inspector-general of police to look into our case.”