Officers of the Special Constabulary Police, Ekiti State Command, have appealed to the Federal Government to commence payment of stipends to them.
Speaking with newsmen in Ifaki-Ekiti, the General One of the Constabulary Police in the state, Mr Temitope Adeoya, explained that they went for training in December 2020 and started working in January this year.
Mr Adeoya said since they started the work, they had not received anything from the government, adding that they were not informed at inception that they were to offer free service.
“Some of us resigned from our various places of work before we were engaged, we did not know that we are to work for free,” he stated
He pointed out that that though it was stated in the community policing handbook that the job is voluntary, another paragraph in the book indicated that government might consider paying them stipends.
According to him, part thirteen (13) of the Police Act makes provision for the payment of allowances, pension, among others to constabularies.
Mr Adeoya said non payment of the stipends to them had made life difficult as it has not been easy feed themselves and their families.
While lamenting that each officer transport themselves to work, he noted that necessary kits are now worn out with no capability to acquire new ones despite working round the clock like regular police officers.
He added, “One of our members, Omotuyi Gboyega from Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government died in March this year while discharging his duties and nothing is done for his family.”
The constabularies therefore called on the local, state and federal governments to see to their plights and accede to their yearnings by prioritising their welfare.