Retired police officers protest in Abuja over ‘poor welfare’

Some retired police officers protested at the national assembly on Monday, demanding their removal from the contributory pension scheme (CPS).

The retirees besieged the national assembly despite the morning downpour in the nation’s capital.

The demonstrators, mostly elderly, stood in the rain, holding placards and chanting anti-government songs.

Security personnel were on-site, overseeing the protest to prevent any disruption of public order.

The demonstrators are taking the protest to the force headquarters.

Over the past few years, retired police officers have been demanding full exemption from the CPS for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Some of the retired police officers had argued that their meagre monthly pension could not meet their immediate needs.

Under the CPS, the employee and employer make monthly contributions towards the employee’s pension at retirement.

The scheme does not apply to members of the armed forces, the intelligence, or the secret services.

On Sunday, the Police Service Commission (PSC) asked the retired police officers to shelve the nationwide protests, which commenced today.

Ani Ikechukwu, PSC spokesperson, said the protest is “ill-advised and ill-timed”, noting that the matter is being addressed.