Etm Ekpimah , Uyo

The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested three demonstrators and beaten up a number of others for protesting at the gate of the Government House , Uyo , over the non - payment of their late parents ’ gratuities by the state government.

The protesters , who were the next of kin of late primary school teachers in the state, were on Monday chased away from the areas around the Government House , as well as the adjoining streets.

Our correspondent observed an Assistant Commissioner of Police, C . Abibo , giving his officers and men the order to beat up the protesters . More than five policemen descended on the group ’ s leader, Benjamin Benson , and tore his clothes .

The police also used tear gas canisters and an Armoured Personnel Carrier to disperse the over 100 protesters.

They also threatened to beat up the journalists, who were on the ground, to cover the protest.

The ACP said , “ Beat up these people ; if you cannot beat them ; let me beat them myself . ”

The policemen needed no further encouragement as they battered protesters and bundled some into a waiting police patrol van.

The protesters , under the aegis of Coalition of Families : Next of Kin of Late Primary School Teachers in Akwa Ibom State, asked the police to immediately release their colleagues they arrested for demanding their rights.

The spokesman for the group, Aniekan Thompson , said the families of the dead teachers had obtained letters of administration from the court and had been screened by the State Universal Basic Education Board since 2010, which gave them clearance slips for payment.

He added that the police acted in a manner that was unbecoming of officers of the law .
“ They beat us up mercilessly, you need to see how they beat and bundled our colleagues – Enobong Kenneth , Benjamin Benson and Utibe – into their vehicle like criminals .

“ We asked them for our rights , but the government and the police were accusing us of being sponsored by the All Progressives Congress.

“ Ninety nine per cent of us are card - carrying members of the People ’ s Democratic Party. We belong to different groups that ensured the victory of the present Akwa Ibom State Governor , Mr . Udom Emmanuel, ” he said.

Thompson explained that in 2014, 185 names were authorised to be paid by SUBEB. He said only 42 of the number were cleared to receive their entitlements, adding that out of the 42, only four persons were identified as bona fide next of kin.

Thompson stated that the government never showed any commitment to the plight of the next of kin, noting that the governor had denied owing them a kobo when he spoke on the television a year ago.

He said, “ After numerous protests, a committee on pensions, headed by the leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr . Udo Kierian , invited us . We met on August 29 and September 19, 2016, and agreed that the government would pay the backlog of entitlements in batches from September.

“ Surprisingly , the government did not pay as agreed. On November 29, 2016, we had a meeting with the Head of Civil Service , Mrs . Ekerebong Akpan , and she said the government had set aside N 100m to commence the first batch of the payments.

“ After three weeks, we did not hear of any positive development on the matter. The government has always cited paucity of funds as hindrance , but we know of states that have tackled this problem even with less income than Akwa Ibom . ”

He urged the state government to use part of the “ N 14. 5bn Paris Club money” released to the state for payment.

The Information Officer for the Head of Service , Mr . Edem Okon , said the group actually came on a courtesy visit.

He said , “ The HoS assured them that their issues were being looked into along with others who have similar matters . ”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Cordelia Nwawe , said she was not aware of the protest. She stated that the protesters did not inform the police.
“I am not aware of any protest. The protesters did not inform the police. I did not get any letter on my table from anybody.

“If anyone wants to embark on a protest , he should inform the police so that hoodlums won ’ t cash in on the situation. We will not allow any breakdown of law and order in Akwa Ibom , ” she said.

SexyNairalander:
booked


nigeria is divided and Buhari is not making it easy as holiday is more important that his country

GreenMavro:


Mk my money enter today..me sef go go on holiday like BUHARI

sarrki:
This is barbaric

Nigerian police you are not our friends

sarrki:


Cool down and listen to your subconscious mind

It will really help

BeeBeeOoh:
And one confused & dullardic septuagenarian is in UK hanging his legs on a table while the country that was given to him to take of is burning like a wild flame.. Isorait

SexyNairalander:
booked


nigeria is divided and Buhari is not making it easy as holiday is more important that his country

BeeBeeOoh:
And one confused & dullardic septuagenarian is in UK hanging his legs on a table while the country that was given to him to take of is burning like a wild flame.. Isorait

CplusJason:
Mr. Patriotic citizen of the Federal Republic of Zombies, lemme commend you for publicly condemning this atrocious act, but try and tell your paymaster (either dead or alive) to call his witless boys to order. Thanks.


Long live the Oba of Zombies. ☆

BeeBeeOoh:
And one confused & dullardic septuagenarian is in UK hanging his legs on a table while the country that was given to him to take of is burning like a wild flame.. Isorait

sarrki:


Brother 2days

CplusJason:
Mr. Patriotic citizen of the Federal Republic of Zombies, lemme commend you for publicly condemning this atrocious act, but try and tell your paymaster (either dead or alive) to call his witless boys to order. Thanks.


Long live the Oba of Zombies. ☆

CplusJason:
How do you do? Inakwana.

Badtman:
will just Comment as if you are reason with Anal


Common sense is not Common at all

Chronic Wailer Calling Someone Oba Zombies while this is not a Political thread

funlord:



Divided? Holiday? Over a civil case involving overzealous officers?

What is your point? Because this right here is some grade a senseless shite!

SexyNairalander:
booked


nigeria is divided and Buhari is not making it easy as holiday is more important that his country

Corrinthians:
Oh, now he's in the UK hanging his legs on a table? I thought Osus said he us dead.

Your village governor is owing seven months salaries while all you do is scratch your stomach over Buhari. Did Buhari ask anyone to beat anyone? During your ogogoro hero's era, protesting women were shot at, ipob micreants were killed in their hundreds and their bodies were dumped in the Izu river, and house of reps members were teargassed, all these done by the same police. Yet no one saw you anywhere scratching your balls. Today, you run all over the place wailing like a kid who lost his favorite toy.

Get a grip on yourself mr.

sarrki:
This is barbaric

Nigerian police you are not our friends

balanceofterror1:
Psalmsjob APCmyheart Sarrki Corinthians

have you seen that it's not all about IPOB?.

Nigeria is messed up, the earlier we tell ourselves this simple truth the better for us all.

If the Norh have half of what is in the South, do you think that they will remain in Nigeria.