ABUJA — A wave of frustration swept through the Federal Capital Territory on Monday as scores of retired Nigerian police officers took to the streets in protest, decrying the continued non-payment of their pensions despite years—some spanning over three decades—of active service to the nation.
The demonstrators, most of whom are senior citizens and visibly aged, converged at key points in Abuja, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards bearing messages that reflected their anger and disappointment over what they described as “gross neglect” by the government. Many of them lamented that since their retirement, they have not received their legitimate entitlements under the contributory pension scheme introduced during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.
Some of the retirees said that they feel abandoned by a system they loyally served, highlighting that their counterparts in other security agencies—such as the military and Department of State Services—have been migrated back to the defined benefits scheme and are receiving regular pensions. They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently, stressing that the hardship faced by retired police personnel has become unbearable in light of the rising cost of living and healthcare.
One of the protesters, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who preferred not to be named, said, “We gave our youth and risked our lives to protect this country. Now in old age, we are being denied the basic dignity of our pensions. Is this how Nigeria rewards loyalty?”
The protest follows several unheeded appeals by the retirees and advocacy groups for the federal government and the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to address the challenges bedeviling retired police officers under the current pension arrangement. Many argue that the nature of policing—unlike other civil service roles—demands a more secure and compassionate post-retirement support structure due to the inherent risks involved in the job.
Attempts to get an official response from the Police Service Commission and PenCom were unsuccessful as of press time, but insiders have hinted at ongoing discussions aimed at resolving the issue. Still, the retirees insist that words are not enough, urging the government to back its promises with concrete action.
The protest in Abuja is only the latest in a series of public outcries by former members of the Nigeria Police Force, many of whom are now grappling with poverty, poor health, and a sense of betrayal. For these men and women, who once upheld law and order across Nigeria’s toughest terrains, their demand is simple: pay us what we rightfully earned.