Crime

Retired Police Officers Storm Abuja in Protest Over Unpaid Pensions

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 21st, 2025.

Abuja, Nigeria – July 21, 2025

Hundreds of retired police officers gathered in Abuja on Monday to protest the continued delay in the payment of their pensions, demanding urgent government intervention and justice for what they described as years of neglect and hardship.

The peaceful protest, which began in the early hours of the morning, saw retired officers from various parts of the country converge on the Federal Secretariat. Many carried placards with inscriptions like “We Served Our Country, Pay Us Our Dues”, “No Pension, No Peace”, and “Our Lives Matter Too”.

According to the retirees, some of whom served in the force for over 30 years, their pensions have remained unpaid or incomplete for years, despite numerous promises from government agencies. The protesting officers expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of respect and recognition for their years of service and sacrifice.

“We put our lives on the line to protect this country. Some of us were injured in the line of duty, others lost colleagues. Now that it’s time for us to rest, we’re being treated like we never mattered,” said Retired ASP Joseph Olagunju, who joined the protest from Oyo State.

The protest caused temporary traffic disruptions around major roads leading to the secretariat, with security personnel deployed to maintain order. Despite the heavy presence of active-duty police officers, the protest remained peaceful, with no incidents of violence reported.

Spokesperson for the protesting officers, Retired Inspector Grace Ibekwe, called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to step in immediately. “Many of our members are dying of hunger and lack of medical care. We have written letters, submitted petitions, and held meetings, but nothing has changed. We are tired of empty promises,” she said.

The retirees are also demanding the implementation of the approved pension structure and inclusion in the Contributory Pension Scheme, which they say they were unjustly excluded from.

In response, a senior official at the Police Pension Office, who requested anonymity, acknowledged the challenges and promised that steps were being taken to resolve the issue. “The government is aware of the situation, and measures are already in motion to address the delays. We urge the retirees to be patient,” the official stated.

However, the protesters insist they will not back down until their demands are met. “We’ve waited for too long. We are not begging—we are demanding what is rightfully ours,” said another retiree, visibly emotional.

As the protest continues to draw national attention, civil society groups and human rights organizations have begun to speak out in solidarity, calling on the federal government to uphold the rights and dignity of those who served in the l

ine of duty.