The city of Jalingo, Taraba State capital, became the epicenter of civil unrest on Tuesday as hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in a passionate protest against their dismissal from civil service positions.
Workers Claim Unjust Termination
Protesters, who identified themselves as legitimate civil servants, vehemently denied allegations of being "ghost workers" and demanded immediate reinstatement. The aggrieved workers carried placards with inscriptions such as "We are real workers, not ghosts" and "Pay us our rightful salaries."
Months of Unpaid Wages
According to sources at the protest, many of the affected workers claim they haven't received their salaries for several months despite actively performing their duties. The situation has created severe financial hardship for numerous families across the state.
Government Verification Exercise Sparks Controversy
The mass dismissal followed a recent staff verification exercise conducted by the Taraba State government aimed at eliminating ghost workers from the payroll. However, protesters argue that the verification process was flawed and resulted in the wrongful termination of genuine employees.
One protester, who preferred anonymity, stated: "I have been working faithfully for the past eight years. Suddenly, I'm labeled a ghost worker and my salary stopped. How do I feed my family?"
Growing Tension in State Capital
The protest caused significant disruption in Jalingo as demonstrators marched through major streets, drawing attention from residents and business owners. Security personnel were deployed to maintain order and prevent the situation from escalating.
Calls for Government Intervention
Labor union representatives have joined the call for government intervention, urging a thorough review of the verification process and reinstatement of wrongfully dismissed workers. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria's civil service reform efforts.
As the standoff continues, all eyes remain on the Taraba State government's response to what could become a significant labor crisis affecting hundreds of families across the state.
