Posted by By ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina on
About five thousand policemen who were recalled and re-integrated into the Nigeria Police across the country in January have been in the service without earning salary.
The officers and men were among the over 27,000 policemen sacked under the watch of retired Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero early last year.
Daily Sun learnt that the affected policemen had not been receiving their salaries and other allowances, because no provision was made for such payments in this year's budget by the Federal Government.
Dependable sources close to the police, however, revealed that the amended 2008 federal budget, which is still in the National Assembly might redress the plight of the re-engaged cops.
With anger and frustration visibly written on their faces, some of the policemen who made their plight known to Daily Sun in Katsina implored authorities of the Nigeria Police to do something urgently about their plight.
They frowned at the neglect of the welfare of the affected officers and men entrusted with the task of protecting lives and property.
'Even though we have arms and ammunition, we don't want to engage in any criminal activity,' a spokesman of the group who pleaded anonymity stated.
According to him, many of them were suffering as a result of worries about what they and their families would eat, how they would pay their rent and children's school fees.
It was also learnt that some of them had since relocated their families to their villages, while many had taken to menial job of riding commercial motorcycle commonly known as 'Express' in Katsina.
'Our joy of having our jobs back has been replaced with frustration and anger,' one of the affected cops quipped.
Reacting to the out-cry of some of the policemen in Katsina, the police command spokesman, Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Adamu Yusuf, said the matter was being looked into by the authorities.
Yusuf expressed confidence that the matter would soon be resolved but declined comment when asked if the hope of the officers was hanging on the amended 2008 budget or another supplementary as being rumoured. He implored them to remain obedient and disciplined.