Rising Anxiety as Retired Police Officers and Sowore Mobilize for ‘Mother of All Protests’ in Abuja and Other States

Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 elections, alongside several activists, has pledged to lead a mass protest in Abuja today. The purpose of this protest is to push for enhanced welfare packages for the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

At the same time, the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers has confirmed they will be picketing key locations such as the National Assembly complex and the Force Headquarters. Their primary demand is to be excluded from the controversial contributory pension scheme, which they condemned as a “discriminatory pension system.”

The retired police officers expressed frustration over the government’s persistent neglect of their grievances, particularly regarding the contributory pension arrangement that they say marginalizes them.

In an exclusive interview with LMSINT MEDIA on Sunday, the Union’s Chairman, Mannir M. Lawal, revealed that retired officers from all 36 states of the federation have converged in Abuja, preparing for what he described as the “mother of all peaceful protests.”

“Nothing can halt this protest. We already had discussions with the FCT Commissioner of Police and informed him of our mission,” Lawal stated.

“Our core demand remains simple — we want an immediate exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme and prompt refunds of our contributions,” he added.

Sowore’s Protest Separate, Union Insists

Contrary to widespread reports suggesting that Sowore and his fellow activists are using the protest as a platform to tarnish the image of the current Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Lawal clarified that the retired officers’ protest is independently organized.

“We only became aware of Sowore’s planned demonstration through social media today. We had no prior knowledge of his activities,” Lawal disclosed to LMSINT MEDIA.

Nigeria Police Accuses Activists of Politicizing Retired Officers’ Welfare

In response to these developments, the Nigeria Police Force issued a statement on Sunday accusing certain individuals of politicizing the welfare concerns of its personnel and retirees. The statement noted that some parties are exploiting these legitimate grievances for hidden political agendas.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, implied that Sowore and other activists are less interested in reforms and more inclined towards creating public disruptions.

“Some individuals are distorting facts, stoking public sentiments, and breeding distrust, which undermines the credibility of public conversations in Nigeria,” Adejobi stated.

“Nonetheless, the Force remains committed to addressing the core concern — the welfare of those who bravely defended national security.”

Despite the tension, the IGP has instructed Commissioners of Police nationwide to provide protection for all demonstrators.

Officers Ordered to Stay in Barracks Amid Protest Threat

A confidential memo obtained by LMSINT MEDIA on Sunday night disclosed that specific police officers in Abuja have been ordered to remain within their barracks until further notice.

The directive, signed by Supol Asokoro and dated July 20, 2025, mandates:

“All officers and men of the command are hereby confined to the barracks with immediate effect pending further directives. Acknowledge receipt and ensure strict adherence.”

Sowore Defiant: Protest is Non-Negotiable

In his reaction to LMSINT MEDIA, Sowore reiterated that despite resistance from the Police Force and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), the protest will proceed as planned.

Through his social media platforms, Sowore criticized the Nigeria Police Force and the administration of President Bola Tinubu for neglecting police salaries and pensions.

“It’s disgraceful to deny police officers decent pay and pensions. You insulted them during active service, and now in retirement, you’re scrambling with cover-ups, confining officers to barracks, and hiring spin doctors to justify decades of injustice,” Sowore declared on Facebook.

The PCRC, on the other hand, appealed to the retired officers to return to dialogue, cautioning that the planned national protest might be perceived as a move to discredit the IGP.