Retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday staged a protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, blocking one of its gates while demanding urgent reforms to their pension system.
The protesters, operating under the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, expressed anger over their continued inclusion in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they described as unjust and harmful to their welfare.
Demand for Presidential Action
The retirees called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the Police Exit Bill into law. The bill, already passed by the National Assembly in December 2025 and forwarded to the Presidency in March 2026, seeks to remove police personnel from the CPS.
According to the protesters, signing the bill would align the police with other security agencies that have already exited the scheme.
“Fraudulent and Inhumane” Scheme
During the protest, demonstrators carried placards and chanted slogans condemning the CPS, describing it as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious.”
Some retirees lamented poor pension payouts, saying the system has left many unable to meet basic needs after decades of service. Others described the scheme as a “silent killer,” citing hardship and declining living conditions among retired officers.
Villa Gate Blocked, Movement Disrupted
The protest led to the obstruction of vehicular movement around one of the gates of the Presidential Villa, as demonstrators insisted on being addressed by authorities.
Eyewitness reports indicate that some elderly retirees sat and lay on the ground in protest, while security personnel made unsuccessful attempts to disperse them.
Recurring Protests Over Pension
This demonstration is the latest in a series of protests by retired police personnel. Similar actions were recorded in 2025 at the National Assembly and Force Headquarters, all centered on demands to exit the CPS.
The development highlights growing dissatisfaction among retired officers over pension reforms and perceived inequality compared to other security agencies.
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