MOBILE policemen have taken to the streets of Borno state capital, Maiduguri, in their hundreds, to protest non-payment of allowances since January.
Fully armed policemen marched to the Borno State Police Headquarters to make their grievances known, but they were prevented from gaining access.
The officers also barricaded the highway and were reported to have shot into the air from time to time to drive away motorists and pedestrians.
They were transferred to the state in January as reinforcement for the fight against terrorism. However, some of the officers, who spoke to the Punch correspondent, lamented that since January when they were deployed to the state on special operation, have not be given their allowances.
They also complained that many of them have had to go through inhuman treatment as many of them sleep on the office floor after returning from duty at night.
Damian Chukwu, the Borno Police Commissioner, when contacted, said he was aware of the protest. He further explained the delay in payment of the allowances may not be unconnected with late signing of the 2018 budget.
'Kunle works with The ICIR as an investigative reporter and fact-checker. You can shoot him an email via [email protected] or, if you're feeling particularly generous, follow him on Twitter @KunleBajo.