By Becky Momodu
Retired police officers on Tuesday resumed an indefinite protest in Abuja, accusing the Federal Government of failing to address their longstanding demands for improved pension and welfare despite previous assurances.
Speaking during the demonstration, the National Coordinator of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Raphael Irowainu said the retirees were left with no option but to return to the streets after authorities failed to fulfil promises made when an earlier protest was suspended.
“Our petition was submitted on March 13, 2020, and up till now, nothing has been done,” CSP Irowainu said.
“We started this protest two months ago, and the Minister of Police Affairs intervened and appealed to us to suspend it, promising that our concerns would be addressed. Unfortunately, that promise has not been fulfilled.”
He said the retired officers had now returned to Abuja and would remain there until their demands were met.
“We have come to Abuja to stay. We are here indefinitely until the President gives assent to our bill and the necessary reforms are implemented,” he said.
The Coordinator argued that retired police personnel who devoted decades of service to the country should not be subjected to hardship after leaving active service.
“Someone who has served this country faithfully for 35 years and given everything in the line of duty deserves to retire with dignity, not poverty,” he said.
According to him, the continued neglect of retired officers could have far-reaching consequences for the Nigeria Police Force by discouraging serving personnel and undermining morale.
“If this negative trend is not checked, it will have serious consequences for the future of policing in Nigeria. Young officers are watching what retired officers are going through, and that is not good for the institution,” he added.
The retirees called on the Federal Government to urgently implement meaningful pension reforms and improve the welfare of former police personnel, insisting they would sustain the protest until concrete action is taken.
“We are not asking for charity. We are demanding justice and the benefits we earned through years of dedicated service to our country,” the protester said.
Abuja Times Correspondent, who monitored the situation, reports that the protesters were gathered at the passage road between the Head of Service building and Eagle Square around the Federal Secretariat Complex.
Heavily armed security personnel and armoured tanks were spotted around the vicinity, blocking major roads leading to the State House and the Complex.
Residents who ply the route were forced to trek to their place of Works and businesses.