JUST IN; Retired Police officers plan public protest over stalled Pension bills
JUST IN; Retired Police officers plan public protest over stalled Pension bills
The Kaduna State Chapter of Retired Police Officers has declared that it will stage a nonviolent demonstration in Abuja on Tuesday to demand that two important pension measures that are presently stuck in the Senate be passed.
The declaration was made in a press release by CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria (retd), Chairman of the Retirees’ Kaduna State Chapter, after their monthly general meeting at the Kaduna Police Officers’ Mess.
In order to create the Nigeria Police Pension Board and remove the Nigeria Police from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), the retired officers are pleading with the National Assembly to approve two legislation.
The protest will take place at the National Assembly premises in Abuja, where the retirees intend to press for the exclusion of police retirees from the CPS and the creation of a dedicated police pension board.
CSP Zaria, speaking on behalf of the retirees, expressed deep concern about the dire living conditions of police pensioners.
“In just one week, seven retirees have passed away due to extreme poverty,” he said, emphasising the struggles many retirees face in their post-service years.
The retirees lamented the ongoing challenges they face, including the inability to afford education for their children, from primary school to university, and the rising costs of healthcare.
Many have reported losing the respect of their families due to their dire financial situation. “Our members can no longer provide for their families, and we have lost all dignity,” Zaria added.
In addition, the retirees voiced concerns over a new pension scheme allegedly being proposed by the Nigeria Police, called the “100 and 80% Pension Scheme.”
According to the retirees, this scheme would grant police officers from Assistant Commissioner of Police to Commissioner of Police 100% of their salaries as pension, while officers ranging from Chief Superintendent of Police to Constable would only receive 80% of their salaries.
The retirees are strongly opposed to this, as they believe it unfairly discriminates against lower-ranked officers.
The planned protest is set to serve as a call for justice and recognition of the sacrifices made by retired police officers in the service of the nation.
