NSCDC Operative Dies Suddenly Amid Salary Dispute, Sparks Speculation in Osun
Operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, known as Mohammed Opatola, attached to the Iwo Division, has reportedly died after suddenly taking ill on duty on Monday.
Conflicting accounts of the events leading to his demise was given by his colleagues while social media users speculated about the cause of death.
A viral WhatsApp post has suggested that Opatola collapsed immediately after receiving a salary alert for October, which, according to some accounts, did not include promotion arrears expected by NSCDC personnel.
However, his colleagues refuted the claim, stating that Opatola did not immediately slump after seeing his salary alert, but rather went about his duties before the illness struck.
A colleague, who preferred to remain anonymity, disclosed to newsmen, “we were all disappointed when we saw that the promotion arrears were missing from the salary. Opatola, like the rest of others, was disappointed but didn’t collapse immediately. He went back to his office and performed some tasks before he suddenly took ill”.
The source further explained, “He excused himself to the restroom, but after some time passed and he didn’t come out, we checked on him and found him unresponsive on the floor. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead”.
Another colleague speculated that Opatola may have suffered from high blood pressure following the alert, noting that employees from other agencies under the Ministry of Interior had received their arrears alongside the October salary, heightening NSCDC personnel’s hope.
“He was visibly upset when he saw the alert. We all shared our frustration, but it seems he took it harder” the colleague added.
Another colleague mentioned that Opatola had been promoted and decorated with his new rank less than a week before his death, making the missing arrears even more disappointing for him.
“He was hale and hearty when he arrived on Monday. After receiving the alert, he appeared troubled and excused himself to the restroom, where he was later found unconscious” the source said.
Efforts to get an official response from the Osun NSCDC Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the Spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke went unwavering, and a text message sent to her remain unanswered.
