Thousands of police officers deployed to maintain
peace and order during Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ondo State, are
stranded at several locations across the state
The Nigeria Police Force had earlier announced that
no fewer than 26,000 officers would be deployed to forestall any outbreak of
violence when residents go out to cast their ballots.
The officers were drafted from other states
including Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, which contributed 500 personnel each.
Officers from other states are still being
expected, but those who have arrived since Sunday, said the police leadership
made no provision for their welfare.
Some of the officers, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES
on the condition of anonymity Tuesday night, said the police knew they would be
deployed for several months but failed to make adequate preparation.
“We are in serious trouble here,” an officer said.
“You see policemen passing the night in the open and being unable to feed.”
The officers complained that apart from sleeping
under makeshift tents, they have no access to proper sanitation and could
barely keep their electronic devices on as there are no places to charge their
batteries.
Some of them said the unbearable situation had
compelled them to call their friends and family for soft loans.
“I had to call my old
friend in Jos to send me loan me N10, 000 for me to even be able to survive,”
the officer said. “But he was only able to transfer N8, 000 which I immediately
withdrew from the ATM.”
The officer said he slept
in a guesthouse that charged N1, 200 per night in the state.
“You know the kind of
service they will offer in such a place,” he said. “How can they expect us to
properly monitor elections when we’re not even properly fed or get good sleep?”
Police spokesman, Don
Awunah, said he was aware of the plight of his colleagues and efforts were
already underway to ensure that they receive their pay as soon as possible.
“Yes, we’re aware at the
headquarters that they have not been paid,” Mr. Awunah said. “But we implore
them to take it easy as the Inspector-General is working on their finances.”
“They will start receiving
payment alert before the election begins in four days since we already have
their personal accounts.”
The officers said they
don’t know how much they will likely get as per diem for participating in the
election.
“Nobody told us how much we
would be paid or when,” an officer said.
They however assured they
will do their best.
“This is a service to the
motherland,” an assistant superintendent of police said. “We will do what we
can and leave those responsible for this suffering we’re going through to
posterity.”
Premiumtimes
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