Calls Grow for Payment or Refund as Benue Fire Service Ad Hoc Recruits Remain Unpaid

Public dissatisfaction is mounting in Benue State over the treatment of ad hoc recruits into the Benue State Fire Service, with many young people demanding immediate payment of their entitlements or a full refund of funds collected from them.

According to posts circulating on social media, the recruits were engaged under Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration. They underwent online training, received appointment letters, and were required to pay ₦17,500 each for reflective jackets. The youths reportedly resumed work in 2024 and have since been faithfully discharging their duties. However, they claim they have not received a single kobo in salary or allowances.

Critics, including Facebook user Asom D Jerry, have described the situation as a painful disappointment for hundreds of young people. The silence from both the Benue State Government and the Fire Service regarding their salaries, welfare, and future prospects has been described as particularly disturbing, with no official explanation provided so far.

The posts urge Governor Alia to either ensure the recruits are paid or immediately refund the ₦17,500 collected from each of them, while also compensating them adequately for the time, energy, and opportunities lost.

“Young people should not be used, neglected, and abandoned after answering the government’s call to serve. They deserve fairness, respect and justice,” one post stated, adding that Benue youth should not be scammed.

The development has sparked conversations about accountability in public service recruitment and the need for the state government to address the welfare concerns of these workers promptly.