Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-Rufaihas been accused by ex-workers for allegedly arresting members over prayers against delay on their unpaid entitlements.
The leader of Kaduna state Retired Workers Forum, Emmanuel Dogo, made it known that his retired colleagues took to prayer because they were unable to fend for their families.
“All efforts to make the government pay our entitlements had proved abortive, so what we do is to pray for God’s intervention.” “It is because of these prayers that the governor ordered for the arrest of eight of our members in Zaria. Yesterday (Thursday), they were asked to report to Kaduna state police command.”
About Eight retired workers were arrested for allegedly organizing prayers against the Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
According to the retired workers, they claimed that their entitlements were not paid after they were detached by the Kaduna state government. The Islamic prayer which is known as “Alqunuci”, is said to be powerful and is invoked by those seeking justice.
The arrested ex-workers were later taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and were detained.
Alice Ayuba, the chairperson of Kaduna State Disengaged Women Teachers Forum, made it known that both Muslims and Christians who were sacked and were not paid, comprised of prayer groups.
According to her,“Retired workers used to hold prayer programs and according to what I heard, in Zaria, where our Muslim brothers were praying, the governor ordered for their arrest because they were saying the Muslim prayers called ‘Alqunuci’.”
“I am not a Muslim, but I am told that very powerful prayers that are usually offered there. Like me that I am talking to you, I served the government for 16 years. I was sacked without being given anything. I am the chairperson of Disengaged Women Teachers Forum, Kaduna state, while those who were arrested belong to the Kaduna state Retired Workers forum.
“But we work hand in hand because we are pursuing the same goal. Since there is nobody to fight for us, we resorted to tell God our complaints, because we believe that only God can fight this injustice for us since the governor is very powerful and nobody can face him. So we have handed everything to God, that is what led to this kind of prayers.”