Police Constabularies Protest ‘Nonpayment’ Of 18-month Salary In Osun

No fewer than 480 people recruited as constabularies into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Osun State yesterday trooped to the streets of Osogbo, the state capital to protest nonpayment of 18 months salaries.

The placard carrying protesters who stormed the popular Olaiya Flyover chanting various songs to press home their demands took off from Oke-fia area of the ancient town. They complained that they have not been paid any salary since the completion of their training in May 2021.

Some of the protesters who dressed in black police uniform carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Pay us our 18 months’ salary”, “18 month without kobo”, “Pay our salary now”, “Pay us Our Stipends And Allowances”, among others.

Speaking with newsmen, Constable Tijani Adewale said despite the fact that they have not been paid they were totally committed to their duties saying no few than three constabularies have lost their lives in the course of discharging their duties.

He said: “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.”

Addressing the protesters, Osun State commissioner of police, Adewale Olokode ordered them to stop the protest with immediate effect and assured them that the authorities concerned would look into their matter.

Police Reacts Over Protest By Constabularies In Osun

 
The Osun State Police Command, wishes to clear the air and refute the news making the rounds that, ‘over 480 Police Officers protest non payment of salaries in Osun’.

The Command hereby state unequivocally that, the Community Policing Constabulary Scheme of the Force is a purely voluntary service which is Federal Government initiative to improve security at the grassroots through training and incorporate individuals with prior paid employment who desire to spend their spare time assisting the police in its simple police tasks within their various communities.

It should be noted that, the scheme is to promote community partnership in crime control via the presence of respected members of the public, with sources of livelihood, partnering with the Force under the scheme to render voluntary service for better and improved policing within their communities.

The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Olawale Olokode, psc, still re-emphasizes the fact that, the scheme is voluntary and no payments were agreed with the individuals under the scheme neither were paid terms of appointment discussed prior to its commencement.

Notwithstanding, the State government, or local government where they are serving may decide to give stipends to the members of the special Constabularies recruited by them for this assignment in their State, which does not interfere or change the constitution of the scheme.
However, CP held meeting with some of the members of the Scheme today; 7th September, 2022 at the State Command Headquarters; not minding the fact that, there is no basis for their action of embarking on the street protest for “non payment of salaries” which was not part of the agreement in Principle.
In their response, they appreciated the CP for his fatherly roles and they all promised to abide by the rules of engagement.

E-SIGNED
SP OPALOLA YEMISI OLAWOYIN, mnipr
Police Public Relations Officer
For: Commissioner of Police
Osun State Command, Osogbo