By Pius Awunah
Scores of retired police officers braved heavy rain on Monday, July 21,2025, to protest at the gates of the National Assembly in Abuja. Their demand was clear: an immediate exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they described as exploitative and dehumanising.
The elderly demonstrators, many in their 60s and 70s, carried placards and sang solidarity songs, accusing the government of neglecting their welfare after decades of service to the nation.
Among them was retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Manir Lawal, who said: “We deserve to retire in dignity. This scheme has impoverished us.”
Undeterred by the weather, the retirees vowed to remain at the protest site until the leadership of the National Assembly addressed their concerns.
Security personnel were on hand to ensure order, but the mood remained calm and determined.
Meanwhile, a similar demonstration took place in Ilorin, Kwara and Plateau States, where members of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON) staged a peaceful protest.
The group, led by retired CSP Yakubu Jimoh, echoed demands for an exit from the CPS and called for the creation of a dedicated Police Pension Board—similar to pension structures enjoyed by the military and other security agencies.
Jimoh cited glaring disparities in pension benefits, stating that while senior police officers such as AIGs and DIGs had successfully exited the scheme, rank-and-file officers were left behind with meagre monthly stipends and inadequate gratuities.
“Imagine being paid just N2.4 million after 35 years of service, and receiving N30,000 monthly. It’s insulting,” he said.
Legal Adviser of ARPON, retired SP Adekunle Iwalaiye, emphasised that the protest was not about incitement or lawlessness, but a cry for justiceare Nigerianserians too. We have bullet wounds and sacrifices. Our pensions must reflect that.”
However, the Nigeria Police Force had warned of attempts by “external elements” to hijack the peaceful movement.
According to a statement posted on the NPF X handle,such individuals were allegedly encouraging confrontation and disorder. The police urged retirees to remain calm and assured them of ongoing efforts to resolve their demands.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, met with the protesters in Abuja and denied allegations that he was opposed to exiting the CPS.He acknowledged the hardship endured by pensioners and confirmed ongoing high-level engagements, including a recent meeting with the National Security Adviser,Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to improve retirement benefits.
“I empathise with you. I am not opposed to leaving the CPS, but it’s beyond the power of any IGP to unilaterally remove the force from the scheme,” he explained.
Egbetokun encouraged the retirees to remain hopeful, noting that alternative solutions to enhance the current system were being explored.
