Police Clarifies Position as Retired Officers Stage Peaceful Protest Over Pension Concerns
As some retired police officers prepare to stage a peaceful protest over pension entitlements, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting their rights, addressing their welfare concerns, and ensuring public order across the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances being raised by some of its retired personnel but cautioned against the politicization and manipulation of the issue by individuals seeking to discredit the government and the current police leadership.
“The agitation for improved police pensions, particularly calls for an exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), is not new,” the statement said, noting that the matter has persisted for over a decade. Successive Inspectors-General of Police have made concerted efforts to support the cause, it added, but progress has been impeded by legal constraints, fiscal limitations, and policy hurdles.
The police leadership emphasized that the power to remove the police from the CPS lies beyond the purview of the Inspector-General, as it involves statutory mandates and inter-agency collaboration. However, it also noted that expert projections suggest pension benefits under the CPS will improve over time, especially for officers retiring in the next five years.
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In response to current challenges, the police leadership disclosed that it is adopting a dual-track approach: supporting the broader agitation in principle while exploring immediate, innovative solutions to supplement the welfare of retirees. These include using internally generated revenue from police services and engaging the private sector to develop pension enhancement initiatives.
“These interventions are already in motion and represent a holistic strategy to support our retired personnel not just with policy talks, but with tangible outcomes,” the statement said.
Addressing the planned protest scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025, primarily in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other states where notice has been served, the police pledged to ensure adequate security and maintain the dignity of all participants.
The Inspector-General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police to provide comprehensive security coverage, prevent potential hijacking by miscreants, and ensure the protests remain peaceful and exemplary. Officers have also been instructed to treat the protesting retirees with the highest respect and uphold their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.
“This protest, described as ‘the mother of all peaceful protests,’ must be peaceful and serve as a model for responsible civic expression,” the statement stressed. It called on all police personnel to exhibit professionalism and restraint, while warning serving officers not to be misled by actors with disruptive intentions.
The Force reaffirmed its readiness to engage in good faith and continue advocating for the welfare of those who served the nation with honour and bravery.
“This is not just a directive,” the statement concluded, “it is a test of our institutional maturity, discipline, and respect for those who served before us.”
By PRNigeria
