Youths recruited as Special Constabularies into the Nigeria Police Force to maintain security in local government areas, State of Osun on Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest over non-payment of 18months salary owed them.
The special constables took their protest to strategic areas of Osogbo the state capital such as Olaiya, Okefia and Alakuwodo.
Some of the protesters, who dressed in black police uniform marched along the streets.
Some of the protesters, who dressed in black police uniform marched along the streets, singing with different inscriptions such as, “Pay Us Our 18 Months Salary”, “Pay Us Our Stipends & Allowances”, “18 Months Without Kobo” among others. They lamented that tricycle and bike riders have taken constabulary wives as theirs due to the fact they could not take care of them.
Speaking with our correspondent, Constable Tijani Adewale expressed his grief said some men of the force have lost their lives in Ikire and Iree as a result of unpaid allowances and anxiety having taken several steps to reach out to government and honourables.
According to him, “We have gone to the local government, honourables and yet, nothing is done.
“We lost three persons in ikire and two in Iree due to unpaid allowances. Tricycle riders have taken our wives because we couldn’t take care of them.”
The aggrieved police officers called on the authorities to look into the matter and pay them their allowances.
While the protesters were interacting with the press, the Osun State Area command Osogbo ACP Kayode Ayilara entered the scene in a police van and urged the constabularies to suspend the protest, saying it is embarrassing and uncalled for seeing them protesting in uniform.
He said they ought to have written to the appropriate channel and wait for response without disturbing the public peace.
On his part, the Commissioner of police CP, Adewale Olokode, Ordered them to stop the protest immediately while assuring them of addressing the issue as soon as possible.
He said, “You are embarrassing the force with your protest. You should channel your grievances to the appropriate quarters. You’re just disturbing public peace with your protests.
“As far as you are wearing this uniform, we expect you to maintain high discipline as a force men”
Their placards were collected and they all dispersed the venue.
