- Retired police officers protested at the National Assembly in Abuja over the non-payment of their pensions and entitlements, accusing the government of neglect.
- Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore joined the protest, demanding the scrapping of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which the retirees described as fraudulent.
- Sowore vowed continued support, warning that Nigerians may “stop praying and take action” if the government fails to address pensioners’ suffering.
Some retired police officers staged a protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Thursday, decrying the non-payment of their pensions and other entitlements years after serving the nation.
The visibly frail retirees carried placards and sang protest songs, accusing the Federal Government of neglect. “We have been turned to beggars after 35 years of service,” one of them lamented. “How can a country be safe when those who protected it are treated this way?”
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, joined the protest, demanding the removal of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which the retirees described as a “fraudulent arrangement.”
Sowore expressed solidarity with the protesters, saying, “I’m not just fighting for the police; I’m fighting with retired policemen. You started this struggle, and I’ll continue to support you.” He warned that “one day, people will stop praying and take action,” if the government continues to ignore pensioners’ plight.
Criticising the political class for living in luxury while pensioners suffer, he said, “If those in power refuse to listen, one day the people will rise… For too long, they’ve taken advantage of the people’s patience.”
Sowore called for unity among all retirees, adding, “Everyone should be here — from Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence, DSS, and even the general civil service… I’m not fighting for the police, I’m fighting with retired police officers.”
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