Jethro Ibileke/Benin

There was pandemonium in Benin on Tuesday, as a 75-year-old pensioner, Sunday Oboite, collapsed and died while on queue for screening at the Oredo local government council.

Sources at the local government council disclosed that the council which called for the screening, is owing the pensioners arrears for nine months.

It was gathered that when the late Oboite collapsed on the queue, other pensioners, especially women, scampered in different directions around the popular and ever busy Ring Road where the council is located.

Efforts by the few male pensioners and council officials to assist the victim failed as he died a the spot.

Commenting on the incident, the Secretary of Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oredo local government area chapter, Mr. Sunday Erumwunse, attributed the death of the late pensioner on starvation that might have resulted from non payment of his pension arrears.

He called on authorities of the local government council to expedite action and pay up the pensioners to forestall further deaths.

One of the pensioners, Pa John Eweka, who was saddened by the death of his late colleague, said, “I believe he died of hunger. They are not paying us and many of us find it difficult to feed.

Pa Eweka called on the government to assist the family of the deceased with money for his funeral.

Efforts made to speak to the chairman of Oredo local government council, Ms Sweet Ikpomwosa, failed, as she refused to speak with journalists.