A group of retired police officers on Monday braved the rain to stage a protest at the entrance gate of the National Assembly in Abuja, demanding their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The protesters, many of whom wore their old service uniforms or carried placards, said they were dissatisfied with the current pension arrangement, which they claim has left many of them impoverished and struggling to survive after years of dedicated service.
“We are here to demand justice. The Contributory Pension Scheme is not favourable to us. It has failed to guarantee a decent life for retired officers,” one of the protesters told reporters.
The retired officers are calling on the federal government to transfer them to the Defined Benefits Scheme, which they argue offers better post-retirement security and benefits.
The demonstrators, comprising elderly ex-police personnel from Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Enugu, Kano and other states, held placards and chanted solidarity songs as they stood in the rain, insisting that their welfare and dignity had been neglected for too long.
Despite appeals by the FCT Commissioner of Police and the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the senior citizens are demanding that the police IGP address them.
Their presence has triggered palpable tension in Abuja, FCT.
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The protests began around 9 a.m. with Sowore’s team leading the protest and causing traffic snarls along Shehu Shagari Way.
The retirees gathered in front of the National Assembly, where their luggage, mats and other belongings were kept.
Some of them lamented poor pension outcomes and urged the government to reverse it immediately.
The placard-carrying protesters chanted “Pay Police” endlessly.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has raised the alarm over attempts by certain individuals to hijack the ongoing peaceful protest by retired police officers demanding improved retirement benefits.
According to a post on X on Monday, the police said the integrity of the demonstration is being threatened by elements with ulterior motives who are allegedly inciting the retirees against peaceful engagement and promoting confrontation and disorder.
While acknowledging the legitimacy of the retirees’ demands, the police warned against the influence of disruptive actors attempting to exploit the situation for selfish or political gain.
The statement partly read, “The peaceful nature of the protest has come under threat as certain individuals with ulterior motives have attempted to hijack the movement. These elements are dissuading the retirees from embracing dialogue and are instead pushing for confrontation and disorder.
“The Nigeria Police Force urges all genuine stakeholders among the retirees to remain calm, law-abiding, and receptive to the peaceful resolution process already initiated. The IGP remains committed to engaging with them constructively and addressing their legitimate concerns with dignity and respect.”
The police said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed his commitment to personally address the retired police officers currently protesting for improved retirement benefits.
“The Inspector-General of Police has expressed his commitment to personally address the retired police officers currently protesting for improved retirement benefits. This assurance was conveyed through the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, who met with the retirees and informed them that arrangements have been made for the IGP to meet with them at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, ” the post added