ABUJA — Across Nigeria, retired police officers launched coordinated protests yesterday to express deep frustration over poor pension benefits and neglect of their welfare. The demonstration wasn’t limited to Abuja; it simultaneously occurred in states including Edo, Plateau, Kwara, Taraba, and Cross River, among others, signaling a national outcry against systemic pension failures. Abuja Protest: Heavy Rain Couldn’t Deter Aggrieved Retirees In the nation’s capital, Abuja, despite persistent rainfall, the retired police officers gathered en masse at the entrance of the National Assembly. Their protest coincided with that of the #RevolutionNow movement, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, further amplifying calls for social justice and reform. Central to the retirees’ grievances was their demand for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to be withdrawn from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they labelled as unfair and exploitative. Responding swiftly, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, clarified that he was not opposed to the police exiting the CPS, affirming that concerns over inadequate retirement benefits affected even active officers. Retirees Decry Meagre Pension Payments At the protest venue, retirees voiced bitter frustrations. They sang solidarity songs and held placards, denouncing the N14,000 to N22,000 monthly pensions, which many ex-officers currently receive — an amount deemed grossly insufficient in today’s harsh economic climate. Manir Lawal, a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, strongly condemned the pension scheme, declaring it unjust. “We demand to be removed from the CPS. At 67, I and many others in our 60s and 70s have served this country diligently. Yet, this pension system has left us impoverished,” he lamented. Other protestors shared similar stories: “They owe me nine months of pension. I get just N14,000 monthly. Others get as low as N10,000.” A newly retired officer expressed his dismay at being offered only N3.6 million gratuity after over 15 years of service, contrasting the more generous gratuities received by counterparts in sister security agencies — sometimes up to N30 million. Protesters’ Firm Stance Undeterred by the elements, the retirees vowed to remain in the rain until the National Assembly leadership addressed their plight. Omoyele Sowore and fellow activists complemented the retirees’ efforts by leading a march to the Force Headquarters and the National Assembly, demanding a living wage and proper pensions for all police personnel. Placards bore bold demands such as: Nationwide Echo of Frustration Elsewhere, protests echoed the same frustrations: IGP Meets Retired Officers, Reassures of Ongoing Efforts At the Force Headquarters in Abuja, IGP Egbetokun empathized with the retirees, acknowledging the severity of their struggles. “We share your concerns. We too will one day retire, and it’s imperative that your welfare is secured,” he stated. He revealed his recent meeting with National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, where the welfare of retired police officers was extensively discussed. While refraining from divulging sensitive details to the press, the IGP assured that tangible steps were being taken to enhance police pension benefits. “I am not against the police exiting CPS. If it resolves the problem, I support it. However, if the exit is infeasible, alternative solutions must be sought,” he emphasized. He reminded the retirees that efforts to exit CPS had spanned over a decade, with all past Inspectors-General of Police attempting — unsuccessfully — to achieve this. “Exiting CPS is beyond the power of any IGP. Regardless, even within CPS, we can seek reforms that ensure retirees live comfortably post-service,” he added. He also cautioned against external agitators: “Don’t let enemies of the police manipulate you. Stay alert to those who pretend to support your cause but might have hidden agendas.” Conclusion The mass protests by retired police officers across Nigeria have reignited national conversations about police pensions, welfare, and post-service dignity. While the Inspector-General of Police has shown support, the ball remains in the Federal Government’s court to implement substantial reforms that address these longstanding grievances.
