Retired personnel of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday staged a protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, blocking one of the gates over grievances linked to the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The protesters, operating under the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, demanded their immediate removal from the scheme, which they described as unfair and detrimental to their welfare.
Leading the demonstration, the National Coordinator of the forum, Raphael Irowainu, said the protest was aimed at compelling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill.
According to him, the bill, which was passed by the National Assembly in December 2025 and transmitted to the Presidency in March 2026, seeks to exempt police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
He lamented that while other security agencies have exited the scheme, retired police officers remain included.
Irowainu argued that the continued inclusion of police personnel in the scheme has worsened their living conditions, describing it as unjust compared to benefits enjoyed by counterparts in other security agencies.
The retirees also expressed frustration over what they termed poor pension outcomes, noting that many former officers struggle to meet basic needs under the current structure.
Monday’s protest adds to a series of demonstrations by retired police officers over pension-related concerns.
In July 2025, a similar protest was held at the National Assembly, while others had previously gathered at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to demand reforms.
The development highlights growing dissatisfaction among retired police personnel and intensifies pressure on the Federal Government to address longstanding concerns surrounding pension administration in the force.
