Retired Police Officers, Activists Storm Abuja in Protest Over Pension Woes

By Hanifa Yakubu

“We served this country with our lives, now we are abandoned in poverty.”

Hundreds of retired police officers, alongside prominent activists such as Omoyele Sowore, Dan Bello, and Deji Adeyanju, staged a protest in Abuja on Monday, July 21, 2025. The demonstration focused on demanding the immediate exit of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they say has left many of them in dire financial conditions.

The protest began at the National Assembly complex and continued to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters. Despite heavy rainfall, the demonstrators blocked the main gate and insisted they would not leave until their concerns were addressed.

“We demand the immediate exit of the Nigeria Police from the CPS. We also want a ₦500,000 monthly minimum wage and pension for retired officers,” read one placard carried by an elderly protester.

Some retirees, speaking to journalists, described the harsh realities of life after service. “Some of us survive on as little as ₦5,000 a month. Others haven’t received gratuities for years. People are dying quietly from hunger and neglect,” said a spokesperson for the group.

The CPS is a government backed retirement savings plan where workers and employers contribute jointly. However, many retired police officers argue that the scheme is unfair and leaves them worse off compared to those under the old pension system.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had earlier directed security officers to monitor the protest and ensure it remained peaceful. Police were seen stationed at strategic points around the Federal Capital Territory, particularly along the protest route and at the Force Headquarters.

Police spokesperson ACP Muyiwa Adejobi acknowledged the retirees’ demands and urged them to avoid political interference. “We respect their right to protest. But we will not allow any attempts to cause unrest or turn this into a partisan issue,” he said.

There has been no official response yet from the National Assembly, the Ministry of Police Affairs, or President Bola Tinubu. However, pressure is mounting for swift action, as the situation continues to draw public attention.