As a peaceful protest by retired police officers over pension concerns looms, the Nigeria Police Force has released a comprehensive statement reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its former personnel, while condemning attempts to politicise the issue.
According to Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the agitation—centred around calls to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)—has spanned more than a decade. While acknowledging the legitimacy of the retirees’ concerns, the statement highlights ongoing efforts by past and present leadership to address the matter through stakeholder engagement and proposed reforms. However, legal, fiscal, and bureaucratic hurdles have made meaningful progress challenging.
The Force points to expert projections indicating that pension outcomes for officers retiring in the coming years are expected to improve significantly, suggesting that continued participation in the CPS may yield better results over time.
In response to immediate challenges faced by current retirees, the Police leadership is pursuing creative solutions such as: Deploying internally generated revenue to supplement pensions and Partnering with private and corporate entities for targeted welfare initiatives.
These efforts, the statement says, are already being implemented and align with a broader push for tangible welfare improvements.
While affirming the right of retirees to protest, the Police caution against hijacking by political elements and urge peaceful conduct. The Inspector-General of Police has directed all Commissioners to: Provide security coverage for protesters, Prevent infiltration by non-retired agitators, Sensitise officers to the constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and Maintain public order and respect for retired personnel
The upcoming demonstration—scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025, in Abuja and other notified state commands—is being dubbed “the mother of all peaceful protests.” The Police hierarchy has pledged to ensure it becomes a national model for dignified grievance expression and responsible public order management.
The Force concludes with a stern warning to serving officers not to be misled by actors who seek to distort facts or disrupt institutional discipline, reiterating the importance of rising to the occasion with wisdom and respect.
