Two special constabulary police officers, Jimoh Lukman and Kareem Fatai, who were recently dismissed by the Oyo State Police Command for alleged extortion, have pointed fingers at the government, claiming they resorted to begging for money due to three years of unpaid salaries.
The dismissal, ordered by State Police Commissioner Adebola Hamzat in December 2023, followed allegations of extortion against the officers. The announcement was made during a public parade at the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan.
In a statement to journalists, CP Hamzat stated that the decision to dismiss the constables was based on a recommendation from an orderly room investigation. However, a video circulating online features the dismissed officers attributing their actions to the government’s failure to pay them salaries since they joined the force three years ago.
Speaking in a mix of English and Yoruba languages, the former police officers expressed their frustration, stating, “I served for three years and three months. They did not give us any salary. They never gave us anything. Even after the dismissal, we were not paid at all. It is when we go to the roadside that we get money from what people give us. This is what we share and use to feed ourselves, our children, and our wives.”
The revelation raises questions about the welfare of police personnel and the alleged neglect by the government, shedding light on the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in the region.
