Pension Delays Spark Protest Plans By Former Police Officers At National Assembly

The Union of Retired Police Officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has announced plans to hold a peaceful protest at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday, pressing for improved pension benefits.

In a statement on Thursday, CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria (rtd.), chairman of the Kaduna State chapter, said the demonstration is driven by the dire living conditions facing retired officers. He highlighted widespread poverty, lack of access to healthcare, difficulties in providing basic necessities, children being withdrawn from schools, and rising deaths among retired personnel as key concerns.

Zaria noted that delegates from Kaduna would join colleagues from the 35 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the protest. The decision follows a virtual union meeting on September 22, 2025, where members reiterated their long-standing demand for the exit of the Nigeria Police Force from the CPS.

“For more than 15 years, we have petitioned the government, staged protests, and submitted memoranda to lawmakers,” Zaria said. He recalled that previous advocacy had led to three public hearings, during which evidence was presented showing that retired police officers under the CPS receive far lower pensions than their counterparts in the military and the Department of State Services (DSS). “Despite lawmakers being fully aware of these economic hardships, no meaningful improvements have been made,” he lamented.

In a related development, Justice Halilu Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court rejected a request by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to issue arrest warrants against five retired senior officers accused of falsifying age records to unlawfully extend their service. The defendants include AIG Idowu Owohunwa (rtd.), CP Benneth Igweh (rtd.), CP Ukachi Peter Opara (rtd.), DCP Obo Ukam Obo (rtd.), and ACP Simon A. Lough, SAN (rtd.), facing a 14-count charge of forgery and age falsification.

At Thursday’s hearing, police counsel Ezekiel Rimamasonte urged the court to issue arrest warrants due to the defendants’ absence, claiming they had been served with charges. Defence lawyer Terkaa Aondo (SAN) countered, stating that the IGP had not properly served the defendants, as personal service is required by law. After hearing both sides, Justice Yusuf declined the request, emphasizing that the police must ensure proper service before seeking warrants. The case was adjourned to November 17, 2025, for arraignment.