Nigeria: February 1, 2002

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Faced with growing mutiny by government employees, the government said it had found the cash to meet all government employees January payrolls. Meanwhile, army troops (who get paid from a different budget), were ordered into towns where the police were "on strike." Since strikes by the police are illegal, the government is calling it a mutiny. The police are upset over not getting paid on time and poor promotion opportunities. The national police have never gone on strike before. Generally regarded as corrupt and ineffective, the national police do provide some protection, particularly to larger businesses that can afford to supplement the cop's low pay.