A large group of special police constabularies stormed the streets of Osogbo, Osun state capital today, Wednesday, protesting non-payment of their salaries for 18 months.

A video making rounds on the internet showed the protesters dressed in police uniform holding placards and flyers with inscriptions that read “pay us now”, “we are hungry”, and “we are dying”.

The protesters marched through  Oke-fia down to Olaiya junction while chanting for their remuneration to be paid.

In the viral video, one protester was heard saying: “We are dying. We spent so much at the college. I have children but it’s 18 months now since I have not been paid. Four of us have been killed by armed robbers during attacks on banks in Ikire, Iragbiji, and others. We want our money.”

In November 2020, the Nigerian Police Force recruited over 25000 Special Constabulary Police, to assist in community policing. Police Affairs minister Mohammed Dingyadi said the constabularies are to supplement regular police officers who were being overwhelmed by rising insecurity across the country.

The protest by the constabularies in Osun comes weeks after their counterparts in Kwara staged similar demonstration. 

Force Spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi had however then explained that members of the special constabulary scheme are mere volunteers and not regular police officers due for remuneration.