Contrary to DIG Johnson Kokumo’s claim that police officers deployed for the Ekiti State governorship elections billed to hold on Saturday have been paid, many officers had yet to be remunerated, Peoples Gazette learnt.

Mr Kokumo appeared on a Channels TV programme, Sunrise Daily, on Friday morning, asserting that officers had been duly compensated ahead of the Saturday elections.

“Adequate agreement(sic) has been made for the payment of special duty election allowances and there is no cause for worries concerning that,” the DIG explained on Sunrise Daily.

When asked specifically if the officers have been paid, Mr Kokumo responded saying “Yes, of course.”

Visiting the state Police Headquarters along Old Iyin Road on Friday, two police officers told The Gazette they were yet to be paid their allowance despite the DIG’s claim.

The officers while adorning the police camouflage and bearing arms refused to identify themselves for fear of victimisation by their superiors.

When asked if election allowances had been paid, the first officer gave a wry smile and walked away.

The second officer fully kitted in camouflage, boots, gloves, wielding a gun presumably on the way to his deployment unit told The Gazette that he and other operatives were yet to be paid.

He however noted the situation may change by Friday evening. According to him, officers remained hopeful they would not be denied their remunerations.