Imo: Thugs Flog Protesting Pensioners At Government House

Senior citizens, protetsing their unpaid pension and gratuities in front of the Imo State Government House, Owerri, were assaulted by thugs, on Tuesday.

This protest makes it the fifth time since July that pensioners will protest the nonpayment of their pensions.

AllNews reports that the thugs, in a bid to stop the protesters from closing in on the main gate of the State Government House, used canes to threaten the senior citizens who were defiant, subsequently using the canes on them.

This incident preceded the presence of the assistant Police Commissioner, A.J Moses, who directed that police officers send the thugs away from the scene, before proceeding to placate the agitated pensioners.

The protesters said that the government has refused to attend to their ordeal, claiming that the state government directed the thugs to attack them so that they can be dispersed.

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A pensioner, Ebenezer Ibekwe, speaking to the press said, “Thugs were flogging us their, fathers and mother. I pity them because they have dug their graves. At Warehouse junction, why we were coming, they accosted us and were pouring water on us. This has never happened in this state before.

“The monies we worked for and the government is sending urchins, idiots and never do wells to assault people who are old enough to be their fathers, mothers, and grandparents.”

Although, claims that the pensioners were flogged by the thugs were dismissed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on print media, Modestus Nwamkpa, stating that illegal protests were disallowed in the state.