Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed state and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police commissioners to ensure maximum security during a nationwide protest staged by retired police officers demanding their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The protests, scheduled for Monday across various states and the capital, have been described by the police authorities as a peaceful expression of longstanding grievances, with the IGP pledging to uphold the rights of the retired officers.
In a statement released Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police chief instructed officers to “show utmost respect” to their retired colleagues, safeguard public order, and ensure no hijack of the protests by political actors or criminal elements.
“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,” said Adejobi, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Adejobi warned against the dissemination of misinformation and what he described as attempts by some individuals to politicise the protests and manipulate public sentiment against the federal government.
“It is disheartening to observe how certain actors have chosen to politicise a sensitive welfare issue, weaponising the legitimate grievances of our retired colleagues for ulterior motives,” he stated.
The demand to opt out of the Contributory Pension Scheme, which the retirees argue leaves them financially vulnerable, is not new. According to Adejobi, successive police chiefs have backed the agitation, but legal and financial obstacles have stalled progress.
The IGP also instructed all commissioners to mobilise intelligence and operational resources to ensure the protests remain peaceful, particularly in areas where formal notice has been received.
The nationwide demonstration is due to discontent among retired personnel over pension reforms introduced under Nigeria’s current contributory system. Despite repeated calls for review, many former officers allege neglect and financial insecurity after their retirement.
