By John Moses
A group of retired Nigerian police officers staged a peaceful protest on Monday at the gates of the National Assembly and Police Force Headquarters, calling for their removal from the country’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they described as exploitative and dehumanising.
The demonstration, which took place in heavy rainfall, involved elderly ex-police personnel carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs. The protest disrupted activity at the Louis Edet House, the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
Many of the protesters, now in their 60s and 70s, expressed frustration over what they claim is a broken pension system that fails to reflect their decades of service.
“We have served this country faithfully and deserve to retire in dignity,” said retired Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Manir Lawal, speaking to journalists. “This scheme has impoverished us. It is our right to demand better.”
The demonstrators vowed not to disperse until their demands were heard by lawmakers. Security forces monitored the protest closely but did not interfere.
Following the demonstration, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, met with representatives of the retirees. He later assured the public that the Nigeria Police Force was already engaging with relevant authorities to address the issues raised.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Egbetokun described the talks as “successful,” adding that the retirees had agreed to return home while awaiting reforms.
“We have listened to them. Their concerns are genuine, and we are already taking steps to address the problems within the pension scheme,” he said.
The protest reignites debate around Nigeria’s controversial CPS model, with growing calls from police retirees and other public servants for the federal government to reconsider its application in sectors with unique service demands.
