NULGE cites seven months’ arrears as strike disrupts councils statewide amid election preparations

By Felix Umande from Makurdi.

Local government workers across Benue State on Thursday commenced a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries and unresolved welfare issues, disrupting operations in councils statewide.

The industrial action followed a directive issued by the Benue State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees.

In a notice titled “Notification Of Strike Action” dated May 13, 2026, NULGE State President Joshua Adiniya and Secretary Aséneshi Yusuf said the strike was to press the state government to meet outstanding obligations to workers.

According to the union, the government has yet to pay March and April 2026 salaries despite repeated requests. NULGE said the State Executive Council had, at a meeting on April 21, 2026, resolved to demand the unconditional payment of these salaries alongside other longstanding grievances.

The union’s demands includes:

• Unconditional release and implementation of all pending promotions for local government staff.
• Resolution of issues hindering the smooth implementation of BEPCON remittances for Benue LG workers.
• Reinstatement of disengaged 2011/2012 local government workers and payment of all salary arrears.

NULGE said it had served the statutory 14-day notice and a seven-day reminder, but the state government had not responded.

“In view of the above, the union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option. Hence, we resolved that all local government workers should commence a two-week stay-at-home warning strike effective Thursday, May 14, 2026,” the notice read.

Speaking to journalists, NULGE President Joshua Adiniya said the state government currently owes local government workers seven months’ salary arrears. He described the strike as a last resort after months of failed engagement.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Terna Ayu, declined to comment when contacted.

The action marks the first time in nearly three years of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration that local government workers have embarked on a strike. The timing is significant, coming amid preparations for the forthcoming general elections.

The development contrasts with the governor’s Workers’ Day pledge to prioritize the welfare of workers across the state.

Unless resolved, the strike is expected to paralyze services at the local government level for the next two weeks.

–Transport money sent to him

By Our Reporter

John Azi, a graduate of University of Jos, has revealed how his desperation for work took him into the hands of criminals who sent money for his transportation to Zamfara state before abducting him.

The victim narrated his ordeal at a church in Tudun Wada in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, after regaining freedom.

According to him, he was kidnapped on April 11, 2026, shortly after travelling from Jos to Zaria in Kaduna State for what he believed was a legitimate job opportunity.

He said the suspected kidnappers had repeatedly contacted him on phone, offering him welding work and even sending transport fare to convince him the offer was genuine.

“They kept calling me, asking me to come and work for them. They even sent transport money, so, I believed it was real work,” he said.

After he arrived Zaria, Azi explained that he contacted the individuals, who instructed him to board another motorcycle heading towards a village.

He said although he became suspicious during the journey, he ignored the warning signs because he desperately needed work.

“I started having doubts, but I told myself maybe it was a connection that could help me. I did not know they were kidnappers,” he said.

Moments after arriving at the village, a man approached him claiming to be the person who contacted him for the job.
He was then taken on a motorcycle into a remote forest area where he suddenly noticed another heavily armed man waiting for them.

“I saw a gun I had never seen before in my life. The man told me not to be afraid and claimed the person was a hunter, but deep down I knew something was wrong.”

Suddenly, Azi said, he was forced to kneel down while the kidnappers searched him, seized his phone, bag, and work tools before handing him strange clothes and a face mask to wear.

According to him, the kidnappers later transported him from Kaduna through Giwa Local Government Area into Zamfara State after several hours of travelling on motorcycles through forests and isolated routes.

“We spent almost six hours moving through the bush on motorcycles. There was no security anywhere,” he said.

He disclosed that upon arriving at the camp, the kidnappers tied his hands and legs and contacted his family, demanding N30 million ransom.

“I gave them my elder brother’s number. They called and demanded N30 million,” he said.

The victim narrated how he was tortured repeatedly and interrogated about his religion while in captivity.

According to him, the kidnappers accused him of being a Christian and threatened to kill him.

“They were shooting guns everywhere and asking questions. Out of fear, I initially denied being a Christian because I thought they would kill me,” he said.

However, he said after severe beating by the abductors, he eventually confessed his faith.

“While they were beating me, I suddenly shouted ‘Jesus.’ That was when they discovered I was a Christian,”

According to him, the kidnappers thereafter, nicknamed him “Pastor” throughout his stay in captivity.

“The only thing I kept doing was praying and asking God to save me,” he said.

From N30 million, the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N6 million.
However, even after receiving the money, the abductors allegedly delayed his release and demanded an additional N4 million.

“They started beating me again and said my family should add another N4 million. At that point, I thought I would not survive,” he said.

According to him, support from relatives, friends, and sympathisers eventually helped secure his freedom after several days in captivity.

By Our Reporter

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has given assurance that it is introducing new regulations to avoid a repeat of the controversy that overshadowed the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final in Rabat, Morocco.

CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, while admitting to BBC Sport Africa that “deficiencies” in officiating and match management contributed to the chaotic ending, assured that CAF is coming with new laws and rules to avoid its repeat in the future.

“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR.

“But there are still these challenges, and we’ve recognised what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.

“We’ve introduced new laws, new regulations which will ensure that doesn’t happen again,” he said.

The final, held in Rabat, saw Senegal initially declared champions after a 1–0 extra-time win over Morocco. However, the result was later overturned by a CAF appeal board, with the title awarded to Morocco following disciplinary rulings tied to Senegal’s protest walk-off after a late VAR penalty decision.

The match also drew widespread criticism due to security clashes inside the stadium and accusations of unsportsmanlike behaviour, including incidents dubbed “towelgate,” where Senegal’s goalkeeper was reportedly interfered with by ball boys and opposing personnel.

But to address these and similar issues, Motsepe said,
“We are continuing to improve the system, because African football must be judged by the highest standards of fairness and integrity,” he said.

The controversy which has exposed African soccer and the continent to ridicule has generated debate across the football world, with critics arguing that the handling of the final has damaged CAF’s credibility. For former footballer, Nigel Reo-Coker, “It gives other federations around the world an opportunity to laugh at CAF, to laugh at the Africa Cup of Nations, and laugh at Africa as a continent because of how this whole situation has been handled.”

Meanwhile, the Senegal Football Federation has described the decision to strip Senegal of the title as a “robbery” and has taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where a final ruling is still pending.

Motsepe has confirmed that CAF will respect the outcome of the legal process.

“We are waiting for the judgment of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and African football is continuing to grow and develop.
“Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”