TheCable

Some supernumerary (SPY) police officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), a police squad in the Lagos, claim that their allowance has not been paid for 18 months.

The SPY officers who spoke to TheCable on the condition of anonymity said the situation has affected their ability to effectively take care of their families.

The RRS, established to safeguard lives and property in Lagos, is funded by the state government. 

SPY police officers were recruited by the state government to assist the RRS in effectively securing the state. 

“For 18 solid months, our monthly allowance has not been paid. This has affected us adversely. We can no longer meet up with our responsibilities at home,” the officers told TheCable. 

“Just recently, schools resumed across the state and it is painful to report that most of our children have been sent [out] as a result of the fact that we cannot pay their school fees.

“We know there is no justification for illegal duty but as a result of nonpayment of our allowance, some of our colleagues are now indulging in illegal duty which is bad for the image of RRS and the state government.”

The officers called on Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, to come to their rescue and ensure immediate payment of their allowance.

“You see, we have it on good authority that we are entitled to N30,000 as monthly allowance but at the end of the day, we are paid only N10,000 and that is what they have not paid us for the past 18 months,” they said.

‘THE ALLOWANCE IS NOT STATUTORY’

When contacted, Adebayo Taofeek, spokesperson of the RRS, denied the claim made by the officers. 

He said the SPY officers are like regular civil servants who receive their salaries in Lagos. The allowance, he said, is not statutory, adding that it is part of a welfare package.

Taofeek said the delay in the payment of the allowance is because of an increment. 

“The basic thing is for them to get their salary. It is not that the government does not want to pay the allowance, it has to undergo a lot of processes and it will be paid any moment from now,” he said.

“That they have not received an allowance in 18 months, I disagree with that.

“The delay in the payment of the allowance was as a result of the increment. The present administration increased their allowances by 100% so they needed to dot the Is and cross the Ts. 

“As I’m talking to you now, they have got the approval to pay the outstanding allowance but it is a blatant lie that the government is owing them 18 months allowance.”

Taofeek added that the officers are supposed to be grateful to the governor.