By Clara Dabo
The Nigeria Police Force has responded to ongoing conversations and planned demonstrations by retired officers over pension entitlements, affirming both its commitment to their welfare and its readiness to ensure the peaceful conduct of the protest scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, the Force acknowledged that while some concerns raised by the retirees are valid, certain narratives circulating in public spaces have been tainted with misinformation and political undertones.
“It is disheartening to observe how a sensitive welfare issue is being politicised,” the statement read. “Some individuals have chosen to weaponise the legitimate concerns of our retired colleagues to sow distrust and discredit the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force. Their intentions are not anchored in reform, but in disruption.”
The Police noted that the agitation to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is not new, dating back over a decade. The CPS, established under the Pension Reform Act of 2004 and later amended in 2014, mandates both employees and employers to make monthly contributions 8% from the employee and 10% from the employer toward a Retirement Savings Account managed by licensed Pension Fund Administrators. It was designed to replace the old defined benefits scheme, which was marred by irregular payments and systemic inefficiencies.
According to the statement, since 2014, various Inspectors-General of Police have made consistent efforts to address the issue, engaging stakeholders and lobbying for institutional reforms. However, the complexities of statutory regulations, fiscal limitations, and policy hurdles have continued to stall desired outcomes.
The Force also cited expert projections which suggest that pension benefits under the CPS are expected to improve as the scheme matures.
“Retirees within the next five years are projected to receive significantly better outcomes than those currently exiting,” the statement explained, urging for a pragmatic review of approaches in light of evolving realities.
To cushion the effects on current retirees, the police leadership is reportedly implementing alternative interventions. These include leveraging internally generated revenues to provide supplementary pension support and mobilising private sector partnerships for targeted welfare initiatives.
These efforts, the statement added, are already underway, and the Federal Government has been sensitised for necessary action.
Clarifying its position on the planned protest, the Police made it clear that it is not opposed to the demonstration.
“This is not an attempt to suppress peaceful expression. Rather, it is a reflection of a leadership that listens, understands, and engages,” it stated.
The Force confirmed that several groups of retirees, after consultations, have withdrawn their support for the protest, expressing confidence in ongoing efforts.
However, for those who choose to proceed, the Inspector-General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other states where notice has been duly given, to provide security coverage and ensure the protest is not hijacked by miscreants or political agitators.
Officers were further directed to respect the constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and treat retired colleagues with dignity and restraint. Intelligence and operational resources, the Force said, will be deployed to safeguard public order and institutional integrity.
Describing the planned protest as “the mother of all peaceful protests,” the Inspector-General of Police charged all officers to rise to the moment with professionalism and empathy. “This must stand as a national model for dignified grievance expression and responsible public order management,” the statement emphasized.
The Police also warned serving officers not to be swayed by misinformation or those seeking to manipulate the institution for ulterior motives, stating that loyalty, discipline, and adherence to professional ethics must guide their actions.
As the protest draws closer, the Nigeria Police Force says it remains unwavering in its dual commitment to institutional order and the welfare of those who once stood in uniform for the security of the nation.
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