[21/07, 11:53 am] rosewendy: Dozens of retired police officers took to the streets of Abuja and other parts of Nigeria on Monday in a peaceful protest, demanding better welfare, full gratuity payments, and an exit from the Police Contributory Pension Scheme.
The demonstration in the Federal Capital Territory was led by human rights activist and Convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, who joined the retirees in calling for urgent intervention from the Federal Government.
Chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with bold inscriptions such as “Scrap Police Contributory Pension Scheme” and “We Need Our Full Gratuity”, the protesters expressed frustration over years of neglect, unpaid pensions, and what they described as poor treatment of both serving and retired personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
Sowore, addressing the crowd, called on the government to immediately recognise the sacrifices of Nigerian police officers and ensure their rights and entitlements are upheld.
In Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, retired officers staged a simultaneous protest, further amplifying calls for the scrapping of the contributory pension system, which they described as “deadly” and exploitative.
The protesters warned that they would sustain their actions nationwide until the government meets their demands.
In anticipation of the protests, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had on Sunday instructed all state Commissioners of Police and those in the FCT to provide maximum security for the retirees, ensuring their right to peaceful protest was protected.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in a statement, cautioned against the spread of misinformation and reiterated that the protest must serve as a dignified expression of grievance.
“The IGP has ordered that the rights of our retired officers who have chosen to protest must be protected,” Adejobi said.
Further updates on the protest are expected as events unfold.
[21/07, 1:00 pm] rosewendy: Sowore Leads Retired Cops in Abuja Protest Against Poor Welfare, Pension Scheme
