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Oct 31, 2020
Nursing Homes, Racked by the Virus, Face a New Crisis: Isolation
By BY JACK HEALY, DANIELLE IVORY AND SERGE F. KOVALESKI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2TCEnIb
#ENDSARS: Lawyer Sues President Buhari, Sanwo-Olu, Others Over Shooting Of Protesters At Lekki Toll Gate
A legal practitioner, Yusuf Temilola Nurudeen, has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to court over the killing of peaceful #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate.
The lawyer, in the suit filed for himself and on behalf of the #ENDSARS protesters, also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation, Attorney-General of Lagos State, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector-General of Police, Brigadier-General Francis Omata, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, and M. I. Yahya as the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th respondents.
In the suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos, the lawyer prayed the court to determine whether the shooting of protesters was not a violation of the rights of the protesters and whether the situation, atmosphere and conducts of the protesters have degenerated into any situation that envisaged the deployment of the army.
He also asked the court to determine whether the 6th, 8th and 10th defendants have not failed in their constitutional responsibilities to provide adequate security for #ENDSARS protesters.
The lawyer prayed the court to declare that the action of the defendants in forcefully dispersing and shooting at the protesters is “unjustifiable, inexcusable and not permitted, therefore, wrongful, unlawful, unconstitutional and a violation of the plaintiff’s rights to freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly”.
See Also 
Exclusive EXCLUSIVE: How Nigerian Army Secretly Moved 20 Lekki Massacre Victims To IDH Mortuary
He also asked the court to declare that the actions of the defendants in shooting and killing at least seven protesters and injuring many was an abuse of power by President Buhari.
The lawyer also asked the court to give an “order of perpetual injunction against the defendants whether by themselves, agents, privies and servants from applying brute force by deploying officers and men on the Nigerian Army or any armed forces to disperse peaceful protesters and other aggrieved citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from organising themselves or convening peaceful assemblies, meetings, or rallies against unpopular government policies.
“An order by this honourable court directing the defendants jointly and severally to published an unreserved public apology in five national dailies to the plaintiff and all the victims of the unjustifiable, inexcusable wrongful,' unlawful and unconstitutional deployment of officers and men of the Nigerian Army who murdered and injured peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday, 20th of October, 2020 by shooting life bullets at unarmed protesters including the plaintiff and for violating their rights to freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly guaranteed and protected by sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Articles 9 (2) and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) LFN, 2004.
“An order of this honourable court compelling the defendants jointly and severally to pay the families of all Nigerian youth that lost their life at Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday, 20th of October, 2020 the sum of N50, 000, 000 (Fifty million naira) each damages and pay the plaintiff the sum N5,OOO,OOO (Five Million Naira) for the violation of his right to freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly guaranteed and protected by to Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Articles 9 (2) and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) LFN, 2004.”
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NDDC Promises To Pay Allowances Of Outstanding 94 Scholars Stranded In UK After Affected Beneficiaries Threaten To Shut Down Nigeria High Commission
The Niger Delta Development Commission has made a fresh promise to pay allowances and tuition of 94 persons under its scholarship program.
The NDDC had failed to pay students, who benefited from its scholarship scheme since 2018.
File Photo
The commission had in September sent a delegate to the United Kingdom to verify the academic status of scholars, who benefitted from its scholarship programme.
The visit was also to ascertain the number of beneficiaries of its scholarship scheme studying in the country.
Following the verification, the NDDC had yet to commence the payment of the scholars.
To compel the commission to pay the tuition and allowances from 2018, the scholars are planning to embark on a week-long protest at the Nigeria High Commission, London.
“With regards to the recent claimed verification exercise by our sponsors (NDDC), to the remaining 94 unpaid 2018 scholars, the commission’s failure to pay our fees and upkeep for two years has led to another massive protest to shut down activities at the Nigeria High Commission, London, starting from Monday 2nd November.
“We have collectively decided to shut down activities at the Nigeria High Commission in London for a week due to the failed promises from our sponsors the NDDC after a claimed verification exercise,” the protest notice reads.
Following the announcement of the planned protest, the NDDC has said it will commence the payment of the 94 scholars.
Explaining the reason for the delay, Director, Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, cited “unforeseen circumstances” and “upheavals that followed the EndSARS protests” as reasons for the delay in the commencement of the payment.
Odili said, “Having concluded the verification exercise, which involved the registration of all scholars and the confirmation of their claims with the various universities, payment of the outstanding fees were to commence immediately.
“Unfortunately, some unforeseen circumstances, including the upheavals that followed the EndSARS protests by youths, constituted stumbling blocks for the speedy implementation of the payment plan.
“Before the protests, which slowed down activities, the NDDC Interim Management Committee, IMC, had released $5,910,000 million through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to offset all the verified outstanding foreign scholarship obligations, despite the non-passage of NDDC 2020 budget by the National Assembly.
“Obviously, the CBN was not immune to the sad realities bedevilling the nation in the past few weeks. However, the bank has promised to treat the case of the scholarship beneficiaries with utmost dispatch.”
The NDDC urged the students to exercise patience, promising to ensure the payment of the entire allowances.
“We appeal for understanding and patience from the students. We urge them not to allow themselves to be used as tools by those sponsoring devious campaigns to discredit the IMC through protests at the Nigerian Embassy in London.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the postgraduate scholarship Scheme, which is part of our efforts to develop professional manpower to help in the transformation of the Niger Delta region,” the NDDC added.
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Lawyers Write Yusuf Bichi Over Alleged Lopsidedness In DSS Recruitment, Threaten Court Action
Some concerned lawyers have given Yusuf Bichi, Director-General of the Department of State Services, a seven-day ultimatum to explain how the recruitment exercise recently carried out by the secret police across the country was done.
The legal practitioners under the Network of Lawyers for Good Governance in Nigeria made the request through a letter written to Mr Bichi.
INFOGRAPHICS: In Disregard For Federal Character Principle, Director General Of DSS Appoints 535 Northerners, 93 Southerners In Latest Recruitment Exercise Of DSS @NigeriaGov @NGRPresident
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) September 29, 2020
Credit: Peoples Gazette pic.twitter.com/505ZGjuW5l
The group of lawyers said that there were misgivings among the public about the lopsidedness in the recruitment exercise, which negates the federal character principle enshrined in the constitution of the country.
They added that they are aware that the number of applicants, who applied for the recruitment had been "inequitably concentrated" in a particular region of the country to the disadvantage of others.
The letter jointly signed by Vincent Adodo, Myson Nejo, Joshua Oluwaseun, Helen Gbor, Semire Onifade among others, reads, "Given the need to preserve the unity of Nigeria on the principles of justice and equity, it has become imperative that we request that your good office furnishes us with the following information within seven days next of your receipt of this letter; names, state and local government area of origin of persons who applied for employment into Directorate of State Service (DSS) in each of the 36 states of the federation and federal capital territory.
"The cumulative number of persons who applied employment into the Directorate of State Service (DSS) in each of the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory.
"The names, state, and local government area of origin of successful applicants in the year 2020 recruitment exercise of the Directorate of State Services (DSS).
"And the cumulative number of successful applicants in the year 2020 recruitment exercise into the Directorate of State Service (DSS) from each of the federation and the federal capital territory."
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The lawyers threatened to take legal action by dragging the Director-General of the agency to court if he failed to yield to their request within seven days.
SaharaReporters gathered that many of the applicants, who applied for different positions in the agency, were only asked to submit their credentials.
Some applicants, who spoke with our correspondent, said they were disappointed after the commission did not carry out any screening exercise before shortlisting successful candidates.
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EndSARS: For Two Days, We Were Asking People To Donate Blood For Us –Ondo Protesters
Residents of Ondo State, who participated in the nationwide demonstration demanding an end to police brutality, have continued to share their experiences of the protest.
The residents, mostly young people, said the protest, which started peacefully, ended in violence as a result of the force employed by the police to chase them away from the streets.
#EndSARS: Protesting Ondo Youth Shut Down Ilesha/Akure/Benin Express Road
According to them, the protest was also hijacked by thugs, who created chaos all across the state.
Some of the protesters, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said they were planning a daily sit-out as part of their strategy when the protest turned violent.
One of them, Olamide Ofakunrin, said he took part in the protest in Ondo for three days before the police began to chase people away with gunshots.
He said, "While we were demanding all these on the streets of Ondo, the same police and security agencies started shooting at us.
"People were wounded and rushed to the hospital for treatment as a result of the attack by law enforcement agents.”
Gbenga Akira, a young man, who participated in the protest in Ore town, said they were peaceful with their demands until police started shooting at them.
He said, "We are not hoodlums and we were very peaceful in our demands and they were also shooting at our parents who joined us to demand a better Nigeria. We had to take some of them to the hospital for treatment.
"Due to the attitude displayed mostly by the police, we retired and thugs had to take over and started destroying both public and private properties."
Another protester, Sandra Ilemobade, said they had to source blood for those shot by the police.
She said, "The way they (police) shot at people during the protest made me feel sad and at a time I started asking myself if they had not been affected by these anti-people policies of the government that we are all fighting for.
"People were shot and wounded by the police. We had to rush some to the trauma centre in Ondo and began to also source for blood due to the injuries sustained. It was a harrowing experience."
A photographer, Kunle Akinyemi, who joined the protest in Ore, said they sought blood donation from members of the public online in order to save the lives of those shot by the police.
He said, "I had to join them in pleading with people to donate blood. On social media, we opened a blood bank and for two days we were pleading with people to donate blood for those who lost much blood. It was the police that opened fire on them because they were protesting.”
The police have so far arrested 18 persons in connection with the violence and destruction of properties in the state.
Many of the suspects arrested have denied involvement in the crimes they were accused of by the police.
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Lawyer Condemns Oath Of Secrecy, Says It Is Illegal
Human rights lawyer, Malachy Ugwumadu, has described as illegal the oath of secrecy members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry in Lagos were forced to swear to the governor.
Ugwumadu said it contravened the independence of the panel as the youth demanded.
Malachy Ugwumadu
He further wondered what would happen when the governor comes before the committee since members had sworn loyalty to the panel.
“The oath of secrecy identifies the persons to take it and expressly provides that it will be sworn before a head of ministry or a person authorised in that before.
“Certainly that cannot be the governor even if the heads of the ministries who are the respective commissioners may be appointed by the governor. Thus, from the standpoint of the law, the oaths administered or sought to be administered by the governor are illegal.”
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#EndSARS Oath Of Secrecy For Lagos Judicial Panel Is Illegal, Nigerians Say On Twitter
Temitope Majekodunmi, one of the youth representatives on the panel, had on Tuesday posted the oath of secrecy on his Twitter handle, sparking outrage among Nigerians.
Ugwumadu said if the oath was sworn, the impartiality of the panel would have been brought into question.
The two youth representatives, Rinu Oduaya and Majekodunmi, refused to sign the oath.
BBC Pidgin reported on Tuesday that the two youth reps, however, signed an undertaken not to reveal anything said in the chamber.
A source further stated that the undertaken was signed to protect the identity and statements made by victims.
“Without prejudice to the very essence and purpose of oaths of secrecy administered on persons which is to preserve classified information and materials in the management of the affairs of government, any such oath to be sworn before the governor and not the Attorney-General of the state as the head of the relevant Ministry of Justice immediately communicates the posture and signal of loyalty to the governor and Government of Lagos State. This is contrary to the conditions of independence, transparency, neutrality and impartiality demanded by the youths and promised in the interests of Justice and for this exercise.
“In any case, it is likely that, at some point and given the circumstances of this inquiry, Mr Governor himself may be required to testify or give evidence (maybe by proxy in view of the immunity he enjoys under S. 308 of the 1999 constitution) or even send memoranda or petition. At that point, where will the Independence and impartiality of the panel be when members of the panel have sworn all manners of oaths including that of secrecy to him?”
The sitting which will take place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for the next six months, is being streamed online by different platforms.
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I’m Being Cursed In Mosques Over My Involvement In #ENDSARS Protest, Activist, Aisha Yesufu Says
Nigerian human rights activist and Co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls advocacy group, Aisha Yesufu, lamented on the ill treatment she has been receiving from fellow Muslims over her involvement in the nationwide protest that saw Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality in the country.
Yesufu said she was being attacked and cursed in mosques for being one of the leaders of the massive demonstration that attracted global attention.
In a post on Twitter on Friday, she said, “Heard I am being cursed in mosques! People finish praying and take time out to curse me in their prayers.
“I have asked they should please let me know how many of these curses they rained on me when I was making the same demands during GEJ! We are all already cursed in Nigeria.”
Heard I am being cursed in mosques! People finish praying and take time out to curse me in their prayers
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) October 30, 2020
I have asked they should please let me know how many of these curses they rained on me when I was making same demands during GEJ!
We are all already cursed in Nigeria 🤣
Recall that a Kannywood star, Zainab Abdullahi, recently called on Northerners to kill the activist.
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Abdullahi, who is a member of the Buhari Support Group, and Buhari Media Centre, in an Instagram post described Yesufu as a Jew, who must be attacked by all means.
Many activists including Aisha had joined Nigerian youth on the streets to protest against police brutality, oppression and bad governance in the country.
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EndSARS: Lawyer Asks Panel To Stop Demanding Death Certificate From Families Of Police Brutality Victims Submitting Petitions
Tope Temokun, a human rights lawyer based in Ondo State, has asked the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the state government to look into cases of police brutality, killings, and extortion, to stop demanding death certificates of victims of police killings from their family members.
This panel called on members of the public especially victims of police brutality to begin the submission of written memoranda/petitions.
Speaking on Friday in Akure, the state capital, Tomekun kicked against the demand and explained that most deaths that occurred from police brutality do not usually allow for the gathering of direct evidence.
The legal practitioner added that for the panel to genuinely tow the path of justice for the aggrieved, it should stop the demand for death certificates of victims, who lost their lives to police brutality.
According to him, the consequential effect of making photographs, death certificates and or forensic evidence as requirements for the presentation of memorandum for compensation by the family or dependent(s) of the dead victim would only incite denial of access to justice for those with genuine cases, who do or did not meet up with the requirement.
He said, "The essential liberal character of the panel would have been lost to undue legalism.
"The interested parties who could not show proof of relationship to victims should be allowed to sponsor and submit a memorandum for the benefit of indigent members of the public."
Secretary of the panel, Mr Lanre Amuda, had asked members of the public, who have been victims of police brutality to submit a memorandum to the panel latest Monday, November 16, 2020, at the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps).
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Go Back To Your Duty Posts, FRSC Corps Marshal Orders Officers After #ENDSARS Protest
Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has asked personnel of the agency in all formations across the country to return to their duty posts after the nationwide #ENDSARS protest.
In a statement on Friday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, Oyeyemi ordered the commanding officers to keep the roads safe, enforce maximum compliance to road traffic regulations and safety guidelines.
While mourning the victims of the road traffic crash in Enugu State, the Corps Marshal confirmed that out of the 56 people involved in the accident, 21 persons lost their lives.
He revealed that the crash, which occurred at Nkwo/Mmaku Junction along Old Enugu/Okigwe Road at about 4:00pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, involved a Mercedes Benz Bus (ENU 811 KU) conveying school children and a Mark truck (KPP 247 XA).
He said, “Irrespective of the incessant attacks that led to the burning, looting, arson and damaging of FRSC properties in various locations occasioned by the #EndSARS protest, the Corps is still deeply committed to the full realisation of its corporate mandate; as such, will not be dissuaded from carrying out its humanitarian work of keeping the roads safe, even amidst the risks on lives and properties of personnel.”
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#EndSARS: Coalition Of Activists Issue Fresh Demands To Nigerian Government
A coalition of human rights activists has issued a seven-point demand to the Nigerian Government in relation to the agitation to end police brutality in the country.
The coalition known as the New Nigeria Network is made up of the Take It Back Movement, Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigeria Bar Association, Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisation of Nigeria, Coalition for Revolution, Movement for a Socialist Alternative, and Socialist Workers and Youth League among others.
The coalition said the demand for an end to police brutality and bad governance in Nigeria was an unfinished task.
Speaking during a meeting in Lagos, Chairman of RAMNIBA, Adesina Ogunlana, said investigations into the brutality against peaceful demonstrators by security agents during the #EndSARS protests would be followed up by activists.
Among several other demands, the coalition is seeking the immediate replacement of the Inspector-General of Police; Mohammed Adamu, the immediate reversal of power and fuel price hikes; immediate stoppage of jumbo salaries and allowances for political office holders; all public officials to be placed on national minimum wage; the drastic upward funding of education and health sectors and immediate deprivatization of power and oil sectors nationalisation to be restored.
Ogunlana added that the nationwide protest had shown that Nigerians were waking up to stand against oppression, noting that the demonstration is a revolution waiting to befall the country.
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Liberia Launches National Carrier, Lone Star Air
Liberia has launched a new national carrier to begin flight operations.
The West African nation has named the airline, Lone Star Air, 30 years after the former national carrier became defunct.
George Weah, Liberia’s President, while inaugurating the national carrier on Friday, said, “It would connect our country to our region and to the world.
“It is my dream, my hope and my ambition that we will very soon see Lone Star Air, the wings of Liberia, flying our flag in international skies, shining so brightly.”
It is unclear when the new airline will begin operation and neither Weah’s office nor the Ministry of Transport was immediately available for comment, AFP reports.
The airline initially plans to operate flights between Monrovia and regional hubs such as Abidjan in Ivory Coast or Lagos in Nigeria.
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Oct 30, 2020
Lekki Massacre: Nigeria’s Democracy In Danger —American Human Rights Group
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, an American non-profit human rights advocacy organisation, has described the democracy being practised in Nigeria as embarrassing, insulting and lacking respect for the rule of law.
The group in a statement on Thursday condemned the killing of unarmed protesters by operatives of the Nigerian Army in Lagos State.
It also declared the detention of prominent human rights defender, Omoyele Sowore, as arbitrary under international law.
The statement reads, “Last week, demonstrations in Nigeria demanding an end to police brutality took a violent turn as security forces shot into the crowd of peaceful protesters. The world watched in horror as videos on social media captured Nigerian security forces murdering people with impunity, leading to widespread calls for police accountability, including shutting down the notorious police unit known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
“Despite a viral campaign to #EndSARS, the perpetrators have not been held accountable, the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has yet to adequately acknowledge the role of state security forces in the violence, and the Nigerian Army seems to have borrowed directly from Trump’s playbook, calling coverage of the attacks, “fake news”.
"The evidence against SARS and the broader culture of corruption and police impunity in Nigeria is nothing new. Indeed, our client, journalist and human rights defender Omoyele Sowore, has been documenting the violence and unrest in Nigeria for years and has experienced these human rights abuses firsthand.
“In his fight to defend dissent, Sowore has been arbitrarily confined in Abuja for well over a year, receiving death threats while the government continues to unlawfully prosecute Sowore in contravention to a recent United Nations decision.
“Just as we support calls for justice and accountability for police violence in the United States, we must also extend that solidarity beyond our shores. An upcoming election doesn’t preclude or exempt us from our global responsibility to stand up against such heinous human rights abuses and we urge our leaders in Washington to wake up, take action, and stand with #EndSARS protesters while we can still make a difference.”
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Police Arrest Officer Who Shot Girlfriend At Lagos Bus Stop
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Sergeant Eze Aiwansone attached to the Special Protection Unit, Base 16, Ikeja, for the shooting of his girlfriend, Joy Eze.
SaharaReporters recall that the incident occurred on October 8, 2020, at Salvation Bus Stop, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.
A video of the incident showed the lady in pains as some persons rushed her to the hospital for treatment.
In the footage, the lady’s cheek had torn due to the impact of the bullet that pierced her mouth.
The lady was also seen sitting on the floor of a hospital wallowing in pain while waiting for a doctor to attend to her.
Spokesperson for the police in Lagos, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Thursday said Aiwansone, who had been on the run, was arrested by his elder brother and handed over to the command.
The statement reads, “The state CID, Panti, has taken over the case on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, for further investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police has however warned police personnel in Lagos State to desist from any act that can tarnish the image of the police; and be committed to the principles of community policing for better service delivery and public safety in the state.”
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Staff Of Federal Fire Service Cry Out Over Non-payment Of Salaries By Agency
Staff of the Federal Fire Service have raised the alarm over the non-payment of two months allowances by the agency.
The staff, who spoke with SaharaReporters, revealed that the agency had refused to pay them their salaries and allowances with no “tangible reasons”.
They said that despite the non-payment of salaries, they were being made to resume to the office and do daily activities as well as respond to emergencies.
The staff, who pleaded anonymity, lamented that they were being exposed to hardship as the economic situation in the country continued to bite harder.
“It is over 60 days of work at the Federal Fire Service and we are yet to receive our salary, two months salary.
“The last salary we received was in August as the pay for the month.
“We are living in hardship due to the non-payment of the salary. The situation is getting worse for us as many of us are family man and we rely on this monthly pay we get,” said one of the staff.
Another staff, confirmed the non-payment of salaries, explained that it had been difficult to cope, as the salary was the only means of sustenance for his family.
He said, “Normally, we receive our salary from the 26th to 29th of every month.
“When we were not paid for September, the agency did not say anything and we were wondering what is going on.
“Since then, I have had to ration food for my family and make some sacrifices so as to sustain the family.
“Sometimes, I trek long distance when going to work, so I can reduce how much I spend on transportation daily.”
In response, the Federal Fire Service said the non-payment of salaries was due to the insufficient funds in the agency's personnel cost head.
In a circular on October 14, 2020, and signed by Agholor Michael for the Director, Finance and Account of the Federal Fire Service, the agency also said that other agencies were also suffering the same fate as it said efforts were in place to resolve the non-payment.
“This is to inform the personnel of the service that delay in the payment of September 2020 salary was due to the insufficient funds in the Federal Fire Service personnel cost head just like other MDAs.
“Consequent upon the above, relevant agencies have been contacted and efforts are in top gear to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” the circular reads.
The staff of the agency, however, debunked the claim of the fire service that other agencies were not being paid.
“We are under the Ministry of Interior together with Nigerian Correctional Service and the Immigration Service and those two MDAs were paid for September and are receiving October payment,” the staff said.
They pleaded to the government and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, to intervene in their plight and direct the immediate and prompt payment of their salaries.
“We call on the Minister of Interior and Federal Government to please intervene in our issue as we borrow money to buy food and pay for our transport to go to work, some of us can't even pay for their medical bills,” they said.
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