Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has released N27.7 million to settle the allowances of 2,640 mobile policemen in the state.
This followed their recent protest in Maiduguri against the non-payment of their allowances,
The policemen had complained that the Federal Government failed to pay them the “special duty allowances” for six months.
Shettima intervened yesterday, by giving the policemen 200 bags of rice and tins of cooking oil.
The rampaging mobile policemen had on July 2, 2018 barricaded the Maiduguri-Airport road, insisting that their withheld six months’ outstanding allowances be paid with immediate effect.
The policemen vowed to disrupt the socio-economic activities and official duties at the State Police Command, if the allowances were not paid.
The Commissioner of Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Usman Zanna, represented the governor at the forum.
He said the state government intervened by disbursing N10, 000 each to the 2,640 policemen on special duty in Borno State.
He said: “The immediate payments of N27.7 million cash; was in fulfillment of the governor’s pledges on policemen’s palliatives support.
“The released funds are to be disbursed to each of the visiting
personnel of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on special duty, pending cash inflow from the Federal Government.
He added that each of the policemen had received N10, 000 cash. “This includes the distribution of 200 bags of rice, 20 jerry cans of cooking oil and other materials, which amounted to N27.720 million.”
The Borno state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kaka Shehu, also told journalists that the Shettima’s administration is committed to the plights and welfare of personnel of security agencies.
“They have contributed immensely to the restoration of peace, as over 38, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned to three communities of Guzamala, Bama and Kukawa,” he said.
According to him, the disbursement of funds to the mobile policemen will cushion their hardships and boost their morale to continue to protect people’s lives and property.
