Retired Nigerian police officers have occupied the National Assembly complex in Abuja to intensify their demand for the Federal Government to remove police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The protesters are calling on President Bola Tinubu to sign into law legislation seeking to exempt the Nigeria Police Force from the scheme and establish a dedicated pension arrangement for retired officers.
The retirees argue that the current system has left many former police personnel struggling to meet basic needs, including food, accommodation and medical expenses, amid rising living costs.
They maintain that police officers who risked their lives in the service of the country deserve a pension structure that provides adequate financial security after retirement.
The Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria has repeatedly called for the establishment of a Police Pension Board to manage the pensions and welfare of retired personnel.
The demand follows the passage of a bill by the National Assembly seeking to remove the police from the contributory scheme. The legislation has been forwarded to the Presidency for the necessary action.
The Ministry of Police Affairs has acknowledged the retirees’ concerns, assuring them that the Federal Government is considering their demands. Officials have also noted that any transition to a different pension arrangement would require careful legal and policy review.
The latest protest comes amid renewed pressure from retired security personnel over pension benefits and welfare. Retired police officers have previously staged demonstrations in Abuja and other parts of the country, insisting that the existing scheme does not adequately protect them in retirement.
The protesters are urging the President to act on the proposed legislation, saying a dedicated pension system would provide greater financial stability for former officers and their families.
