Police tear-gas protesting teachers in Kogi
rmed policemen numbering over 50 yesterday used teargas on primary school teachers, who were protesting non payment of their 2014 November and December salaries in Kogi State.
The teachers under the Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria, (BASAN) who converged on Nataco junction, were on a peaceful protest to the office of the State Universal Basic Education Board after their chairman had addressed them, when the police accosted them.
It was gathered that some of the teachers while scampering for safety sustained injuries and those who could not run were asked to abandon the protest.
Addressing journalists before the police attack, the BESAN chairman, Comrade Adomu Sule, said the protest was in reaction to the statement credited to the Chairman of SUBEB, that the state government is not owing basic education teachers.
“The state government is owing teachers in Ajaokuta, Ofu, Okene, Olamaboro and Omala Local Government Areas. We have not received Leave bonus for five years while incremental/ promotion allowances have not been paid, yet the government claims that it is not owing us, “he said.
He added: ‘‘What worries the basic teachers is the propaganda by the state government and SUBEB, aimed at misleading the general public. We are out today to let the world know that the Kogi State government is owing basic education teachers. We also want the federal government and the public to know how government is killing public schools. They have all removed their children from public schools to private schools and as such whether public school is dead or not, they don’t care”.
While calling on the federal government to intervene in the matter, Adomu said no amount of intimidation would stop them from demanding their right, adding that they will use legal means to ensure that their entitlements are paid.
One of the teachers, Asabe Audu, 53, wondered why the police would attack them when they were on a peaceful protest.
Showing bruises on her hand, she lamented that a police officer she taught at LEA primary school in Cantonment area of Lokoja, was the same officer who used tear-gas on her.
Efforts to speak with the chairman of SUBEB, Mallam Nuhu Ahmed, was unsuccessful as he was said to be out of unavailable when our correspondent visited the office.