Retired civil servants under the auspices of the Nigerian Postal Service Pensioners yesterday picketed the Ilorin office of Nigerian Postal Service to protest what they called insensitivity to their plights.

The pensioners were protesting the non-payment of 20 months pension arrears owed them by the Federal Government.

They accused the Accountant-General of the Federation of withholding their money and vowed not to shift ground until their demands are met.

They pasted different inscriptions at the entrance of the post office, some of which read: "Accountant-General of the Federation release our pension money for payment". "No payment, no work throughout the Federation in all post offices till further notice". "This action of yours is uncalled for, it is killing, inhuman and totally outrageous".

When The Herald visited the scene as at 10:35am yesterday, several workers of the Ilorin office of Nigerian Postal Service were locked out by the pensioners.

Speaking with our correspondent, one of the pensioners, Mr. Samuel Odeyemi, decried the condition of pensioners, saying that many of them are dying.

He alleged that government has not been forthcoming on the several talks held with the leaders of the union.

He said; "We have been fighting since years back, our demands are yet to be met and they have been paying us in bit. Those that were retrenched in 1997 have not been paid their arrears. Many of us are dying, we are totally stranded and penniless".

Another respondent, Mr. Stephen Mebaniud insisted that they will continue with their action until their demands are met.

Efforts to speak with the chairman of the pensioners were unsuccessful, as Policemen from 'B' Department operation whisked away some executives of the union around 10:45am.

Also, the Area Manager of the Ilorin office of Nigerian Postal Service could be reached for comment.