Metro

Retiree Slumbs As Edo Pensioners Protest Non Payment Of 10years Gratuities

Published

4 years ago

October 11, 2021

A male retiree (name withheld) on Monday morning slumbed and was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment as pensioners in Edo State in their hundreds protested non payment of 10 years gratuities for workers from the state civil service and 13 years for local government retirees.

They also protested against the continued deduction of one per cent of their income to the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), adding that their salaries have not been harmonised to ensure that all those who retired at the same level earn the same salary irrespective of the year they retired.

The protesting pensioners who blocked the Oba Ovoranmwen Square popularly called Rind Road, by blocking an entire section of the busy road, caused traffic gridlock in the area for several hours.

The blockade of the city centre caused gridlock along adjoining streets like Airport Road, Ezoti Street, Reservation Road, parts of Sapele Road and others.

Speaking to journalists, one of the protesters Gordon Osamunyi said, “We are all pensioners that are alive we all have issues with the government if it is not harmonization, it is the consequential adjustment of the N30,000 minimum wage every pensioner that is still alive today has issues with the government.

“There is no harmonization of pensions which is making people who retired in the same salary grade level earn the same pension irrespective of the time they retired. This is in the constitution but the Edo State government has not done so. There are increases that would have harmonized salaries but they were not done dating back to the period of Lucky Igbinedion.”

He continues, “Then, we have an issue with not paying gratuity. Since this government came in 2016, they have not paid a single year’s gratuity. At least the previous government tried to pay at least one set in a year and people are retiring every time. Let the government start paying like his predecessor did.

“In 2017, April precisely, the present government called those who retired in 2012 and 2013 because Oshimhole’s government stopped in 2011 for screening. They were screened at Imaguero College and the yellow paper which is the authority they have that the government is owning was withdrawn from them which is the practice and then told to go and wait for their alert, till now, none of them have been credited with their money.

“The alert is still being expected four years and six months after. Unpaid gratuities are now spanning ten years since the last one that was paid was in 2011. Now in the local government, theirs is spanning from 2008 till date these are stockpiled gratuity.”

Responding to the pensioners’ demand, the Permanent Secretary, Pension Bureau, Washington Abbey said they have acceded to the stoppage of the one per cent deduction, assuring them that their demands would be met soonest.

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.