By Musa Peace Affos

For many civil servants in Taraba State caught in the state’s controversial payroll verification exercise, the past nine months have become a painful season of uncertainty, survival, and unanswered promises a reality many now describe as living like children with parents, yet treated as orphans.

What began as a government effort to clean up the payroll has gradually turned into a prolonged salary crisis affecting hundreds of workers whose earnings remain suspended despite repeated screenings, official engagements, and direct assurances from government.

Nine months after their salaries were stopped, and five months after Agbu Kefas publicly promised payment, many affected workers say hope is wearing thin.

How the Crisis Began

The issue started after Governor Agbu Kefas raised concern over the rising salary bill in the state despite retirements and deaths within the civil service.

To address this, the government ordered a biometric verification exercise aimed at identifying irregularities on the payroll.

The exercise was coordinated through a committee involving the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, with administrative oversight linked to Alhaji Abdulkarim in the SSG office and collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service.

At the initial stage, about 7,000 workers were flagged as alleged ghost workers, leading to suspension of salaries pending verification.

Although some workers later received partial payment, many remained unpaid as the exercise continued.

Protest at TY Danjuma House

On November 6, 2025, affected workers led by Abdulrauf Sani, Chairman of the Alleged Ghost Workers Forum, gathered at TY Danjuma House in Jalingo to demand payment.

Addressing them personally, Governor Agbu Kefas acknowledged that some aspects of the process lacked fairness and integrity.

He assured them that:

  • verified workers would be paid,

  • properly employed staff would be paid,

  • and even those with unresolved employment records would still be reviewed and paid where necessary.

He told the protesters that once the report reached his desk, approval would be immediate.

At that time, they were owed four months’ salary.

Partial Clearance, Fresh Screening

Following the protest, 1,410 workers were cleared and paid, while others were directed for another screening in November.

The exercise, expected to last one week, stretched close to three weeks.

Many hoped payment would come before Christmas.

Christmas passed without salary.

A fresh protest followed in January.

Again, promises came.

Again, payment did not follow.

Desperation Beyond Official Channels

Since then, affected workers have moved across government offices seeking intervention.

They have visited

The Head of Service, the Secretary to the State Government, Speaker House of Assembly, political office holders, traditional rulers, and other influential stakeholders.

In desperation, they also reportedly visited the governor’s church, the governor’s mother and other political figures believed to have influence.

Yet their situation remains unchanged.

Deaths Deepen Concern

What now deepens public concern is that several affected workers have reportedly died without receiving their salaries.

Colleagues say these deaths have become painful reminders of the hardship many families are enduring.

Several others are reportedly battling illness, debt, and severe financial pressure.

Five Months After Promise

Five months after the governor’s public assurance, affected workers say the silence has become difficult to explain.

Sources within government circles had earlier indicated that parts of the verification report had already reached the governor’s table.

Yet approval for broader payment remains pending.

This leaves many asking:

If the process has been concluded for many, what exactly is delaying payment?

Children With Parents, Yet Orphans

For many of the workers, the deepest pain is not only unpaid salaries but the feeling that every official institution acknowledges their existence while no final action comes.

One affected worker described it this way:

“We still belong to government, but we survive as if nobody is responsible for us.”

The Question That Remains

If government believes some should no longer remain in service, affected workers say clarity should be given.

If they remain legitimate workers, they say salaries should follow.

But after screenings, protests, meetings, and promises, the major question remains:

When will Taraba’s alleged ghost workers finally be paid?


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