Retired Nigerian police officers storm the National Assembly in Abuja, decrying poor pension payments and demanding exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme after decades of service.
Dozens of retired police officers on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the gates of the National Assembly, demanding justice over what they described as poor pension benefits after more than three decades of service to the nation.
The aggrieved retirees, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, lamented that the current Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has left them impoverished and neglected despite their years of sacrifice.
One of the protesters said, “We have turned beggars after 35 years of service. Some of us receive as little as ₦1.5 million on retirement, while others earn only a few thousand naira monthly. This is unacceptable for men who risked their lives to protect Nigeria.”
The retired officers called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately remove the Nigeria Police Force from the CPS and establish a special pension board for police personnel, similar to the arrangements enjoyed by the military and intelligence agencies.
They argued that the current pension scheme, managed by private firms under PenCom, has failed to provide dignity and fairness to retired officers.
Reports indicate that the protest was peaceful, with the retirees vowing to continue their demonstration until lawmakers address their grievances.
Stakeholders say the development has reignited debates on welfare reform for security personnel in Nigeria, amid growing calls for government to prioritize the welfare of those who served in uniform.
