Connect with us

News

Retired Police Officer Laments N40,000 Pension After 35-Year Service

Published

on

Esther Marcus, a woman who claims to be a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police from the Nigeria Police Force, has shared her experience of being underpaid after 35 years of service.

In the now-viral video, Marcus, who claimed to have joined the force before clocking 16 years, disclosed that after retiring in 2018, she received N1.7 million as her gratuity and was subsequently placed on a monthly pension of N40,000

Voicing her frustration over what she called the “dirty contributory pension scheme,” she said, “My name is Esther Marcus, a retired DSP of the Nigerian Police Force. I retired on November 1, 2018. I just want to use myself as a case study. It’s applicable to every other police officer under this dirty contributory pension scheme.

“After serving for 35 years, though I joined the Nigeria Police Force at a very young age, I escorted a friend; unfortunately, she was not selected, but I was chosen because I was tall, even though I was not yet 16 when I joined the Nigeria Police Force.

And when I retired in 2018, I waited for over a year before I was given N1.7 million… after 35 years. Then, after waiting for another three months, they started paying me N40,000 as my monthly pension after giving me N1.7 million after serving for 35 years. And that applies to every other policeman and policewoman who retired under this dirty scheme called the contributory pension scheme. That’s what we’ve been going through.”

According to her, the Federal Government’s responses to their pleas have been largely ignored, despite multiple public hearings on the issue.

Marcus added, “This struggle has been ongoing for over 10 years now because when I retired in 2018, there was a police retirees’ meeting. They started it in 2017 or thereabouts, and all our cries to the Federal Government have been met with deaf ears. It’s not an insult, but that’s the truth.

“They are aware of what we’re going through. They’ve held about three or four public hearings on this case. But when the Army was retiring, the DSS and other paramilitary forces — there was nothing like a public hearing.”

Marcus also highlighted what she saw as inequality within the police force, claiming that senior officers like the Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), and the Inspector General (IG) have been exempted from this pension scheme.

“The AIGs, DIGs, and IGs have exempted themselves from this dirty contributory pension scheme. They only left the Commissioners of Police downwards; they are the ones suffering it,” she said.

“The president cannot say he hasn’t heard this issue. He knows what is happening,” she added.

Marcus, determined to continue the fight for justice, vowed that the retired police officers would not stop advocating for their rights, saying, “Let me tell you, we will never stop fighting because even those coming behind us… you cannot just see pure injustice and not fight against it. It’s not possible.”

“How do you expect me to survive on N40,000? That’s for me as a DSP. We have two-star officers, and one-star officers, who are receiving N28,000. And you want them to survive on this? What offence did the police commit to deserve this ill-treatment?” she questioned.

We will not stop fighting,” she affirmed. “What we are planning now is to go and occupy their National Assembly and call CNN to cover the whole programme.”

She added that anyone opposing this reform is akin to a vulture, waiting for the vulnerable to perish.

“Anyone who is against us will not escape from this evil bondage,” she said. “That person, that man, that group who doesn’t want the police to be exempted from this evil— they are vultures because a vulture only waits for its victim to die, then it comes to feed. And that’s what’s been happening.”

Marcus further expressed her frustration, stating that it is unrealistic to expect police officers to stop engaging in corrupt practices when they know retirement will bring them into such financial circumstances.

She said, “You want the police, knowing fully well that when they retire, they are going into hell; you want them to stop corruption? They will continue collecting. They will continue extorting. They will continue enriching themselves by whatever means they can.”

#

News

Zaura Foundation Champions Peace Accord to End Violence Among Hunters, Daba groups in Kano

Published

on

 

Determined to restore peace and tranquillity, rival groups of hunters, political thugs, and street boys, fondly known as Yan Daba, have agreed to bury their hatchet in Kano.

Besides, leaders of the famous rival groups also resolved to support the efforts of government and security agencies to end phone snatching, attacks on innocent residents and other security threats in the ancient city.

The resolution came after a special engagement meeting conveyed by a renowned philanthropist and founder of AA Zaura Foundation, AbdulKarim Abdulsalam Zaura on Saturday in Kano.

Earlier, the convener of the engagement, AA Zaura, challenged the leaders of the rival groups to consider the future and think of contributing to the development of the state instead of fomenting violence.

Zaura, a Kano Central senatorial candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election, worried over the height of unrest and criminalities, vowed to lead an empowerment initiative to keep youths productive in Kano.

#

He reminded that the intervention to broker peace among worrying groups devoid of political inclination, however, reassured plans to strengthen the renewed hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s youth empowerment initiative in the state.

“Every single person here you see has thousands of youths behind him. These are different factions of the Daba people in Kano and the hunters in Kano. Every single one here has his people.

“So this is a leadership that will discuss the possible way to make Kano state peaceful. The possible way to stop attacking, snatching ponds, snatching people’s property, killing people and doing so many illicit things ranging from drug abuse to substance abuse.

“Therefore we have achieved a lot today. The people that we sit with here have given us the lowdown and the way to tackle these issues and they are ready to do it. Every single person here, we have not had any divided opinion. We have a unity of purpose. We have a unity of function. Peace is coming to reign in every section of Kano. We will live to see no Daba in Kano”. Zaura added.

According to Zaura, the foundation has constituted a 20-man committee to strengthen mutual understanding among the groups and propel the empowerment program that would make the youths productive to themselves and the state.

“We have a plan for every single person to learn a trade. We have a plan for every single person that is dropped out of school to go back to school. We have a plan that every person who knows how to buy and sell without having capital will, at the end of the day, have capital and go back to market.

“Be productive to himself, to his family and the community at large. Let us live in peace. And this is the beginning of sitting together. We leave the committee working inside. That committee will co-opt every section in Kano state. Every single person from every nook and cranny in Kano will bring him out.

“They know the leadership. They know who is instigating them to fight. They know one person in the area who will raise a finger. Nobody will come out to terrorize anybody. We assemble ourselves here. They agreed to do it. And they are happy. And I am very happy. It is my baby project”. Zaura explained.

Continue Reading

News

Imam of Jirgagu Friday Mosque Resigns, Cites Personal Reasons

Published

on

The Imam of Jirgagu Friday Mosque in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Malam Murtala Jirgagu, has officially resigned from his position, citing personal challenges and the difficulty of balancing the responsibilities of the role with his daily life.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Imam Jirgagu described his resignation as the “easiest option” under the circumstances.

have resigned from my position as Imam, leading Friday prayers and the five daily prayers at this mosque in Jirgagu. I wish the next person whom Allah appoints to this position the best of luck,” he wrote.

He also emphasized that the appointment of an Imam is ultimately a divine decision and hinted that he will explain the reasons for his resignation at a later time.

When contacted for further clarification, Imam Jirgagu appealed for patience, stating that he would provide more details in the near future, citing personal preferences and considerations in his worldly affairs as part of his decision.

.

#
Continue Reading

News

Senator Shehu Sani Warns of Thugs’ Attacks at Political Events, Citing Personal Experience

Published

on

Senator Shehu Sani

 

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has issued a stark warning regarding political gatherings in Nigeria, cautioning that the sudden disappearance of security forces at such events could signal an imminent attack by hired thugs.

Sani, a well-known human rights activist and vocal advocate for democratic reforms, made this revelation in a recent post on his verified Facebook page.

He expressed concern about the hostile nature of Nigerian politics, emphasizing that violence from political opponents is a reality that aspiring politicians must anticipate.

“We have survived many thug attacks miraculously. For those who want to get into politics someday, factor in the violence by thugs from your opponents. That’s the way our hostile and toxic politics works,”he wrote.

His comments underscore long-standing concerns about political violence in Nigeria, where clashes between rival supporters, intimidation tactics, and disruptions at rallies remain common occurrences. The senator’s warning suggests that such violence is often orchestrated, with security forces conveniently withdrawing before the arrival of the perpetrators.

#

Shehu Sani, known for his fearless activism, has experienced political persecution firsthand. A staunch critic of military rule in the 1990s, he was imprisoned by General Sani Abacha’s administration during the struggle to restore democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, elections. His political career has been marked by advocacy for human rights, transparency, and justice, earning him recognition both nationally and internationally.

As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, Sani’s message serves as a sobering reminder of the need for stronger measures to safeguard political events and ensure the safety of participants. Political violence remains a major challenge, raising questions about the role of security forces in protecting citizens rather than allowing intimidation tactics to prevail.

His statement is expected to reignite discussions on electoral integrity and the need for political reforms that address violence, voter intimidation, and the influence of political thuggery in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Continue Reading

Trending