SECURITY PERSONNEL PROTEST UNPAID DUTY ALLOWANCES FOR OSUN POLL

Some security personnel deployed for the August 15 Osun State governorship election have protested the non-payment of their election duty allowances.

Personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service and Nigeria Correctional Service were among those who reportedly said they were yet to receive their full allowances after participating in the poll.

The NSCDC had deployed 10,210 personnel for the election, including officers drawn from commands across the country. About 300 personnel from the Nigeria Correctional Service, largely from the Osun Command, were also deployed for election duties.

One affected NSCDC officer said personnel received ₦30,000 as feeding support before deployment but had not received their election duty allowances after returning to their respective commands.

The officer said personnel worked under difficult conditions during the election and expressed disappointment over the delay in payment.

The situation contrasts with reports that some police officers deployed for the election received ₦120,000, paid in two instalments of ₦50,000 and ₦70,000, shortly after the poll.

Responding to the complaint, NSCDC spokesperson Babawale Afolabi attributed the delay to the verification of the names and details of personnel deployed for the election.

He said payments had already begun and assured all personnel who participated in the exercise that they would receive their allowances.

The development has raised concerns about the welfare of security personnel deployed for electoral duties, particularly those required to travel from other states and remain in the field for several days.

The NSCDC urged affected personnel to remain patient while the verification and payment process is completed.