Retired police officers staged peaceful protests on Monday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Jalingo, Taraba State, to demand improved welfare and a complete exit from the controversial Police Contributory Pension Scheme.

The demonstration in Abuja was led by human rights activist and Convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, who joined the retirees to press for immediate government action on their lingering grievances.

According to Channels TV, the aggrieved former officers decried what they described as years of neglect, non-payment of pensions, and poor treatment despite decades of service to the nation.

Sowore, while addressing the protesters in Abuja, called on the Federal Government to prioritize the welfare of police officers both serving and retired.

“The government must recognise the sacrifices these officers made. It is a national disgrace that those who risked their lives to protect others are left to suffer after retirement,” he said.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, including “We demand total exit from the deadly Police Contributory Pension Scheme,” “Scrap Police Contributory Pension Scheme,” and “We need our full gratuity.”

They warned that their action would continue until their demands were met.

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“If the government fails to respond promptly, we will sustain this protest until justice is done,” one of the retirees vowed.

In Jalingo, Taraba State, another group of retired police officers also took to the streets with banners and placards echoing similar demands.

The demonstration, like its counterpart in Abuja, focused on the call to scrap the contributory pension scheme and reinstate a more beneficial retirement structure.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had on Sunday directed all Commissioners of Police across the country, including in the FCT, to provide maximum security for the peaceful protest.

In a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of the retired officers to peaceful assembly.

“The IGP has ordered that the rights of our retired officers who have chosen to protest must be protected, and the protest should serve as a model of dignified expression of grievance,” Adejobi stated.

He also warned against the spread of misinformation regarding the protests, which he stressed were meant to be peaceful and respectful of public order.

The protests reflect growing frustration among retired members of the Nigeria Police Force, many of whom say they feel abandoned by a system they once served with loyalty.

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