NSCDC detains official for reporting fraud to PUNCH

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The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has detained an official, Thomas Ayorinde, for reporting an alleged deduction of his allowance by a senior officer of the corps to The PUNCH.

PUNCH Metro had reported on Tuesday that Ayorinde and 50 others, who were part of a joint task force constituted by the Lagos State Government to control gridlock on Apapa-Wharf Road, were paid N20,000 each for two months allowance in arrears.

Meanwhile, other agencies, including the air force, army, and police, paid each of their officials who participated in the exercise N90,000, N75,000 and N60,000 respectively for the same period.

The state government was said to have earmarked N1,500 daily as allowance for each operative.

Our correspondent also reported that Ayorinde was detained for nine days after complaining about the perceived deduction to the senior officer, identified simply as Mba.

The state command spokesperson for NSCDC, Mefor Chibuzor, had rebuffed Ayorinde’s claims, saying the officials were paid “based on what the corps received from the state government.”

The report also stated that the affected officials had petitioned the Office of the Public Defender, seeking legal assistance to no avail.

Speaking to our correspondent on the telephone on Tuesday, Ayorinde said he had been locked up again for reporting the case to The PUNCH.

He said, “I have been put inside cell again. My bosses said they read the story in The PUNCH today (Tuesday) and that I would be punished for speaking with you (The PUNCH) on the deduction of our allowance.”

Ayomide’s colleague, who did not want his name in print, confirmed the detention to PUNCH Metro.

He said, “Yes. They have locked him up again. He was blamed for taking the matter to your medium.”

When contacted, Chibuzor said he would verify and get back to our correspondent.

He later said, “No, he (Ayorinde) is not here.”

Source: Punch