The Union of Retired Police Officers, Kaduna State Chapter, has issued a stern warning to the National Assembly over its continued inclusion in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
In a statement released on Friday, the union vowed to stage a prolonged protest at the National Assembly if their demand is not met by January 2025.
Chairman of the union, CSP Mannir M. Lawal (Rtd), and Secretary, ASP Danladi Maigamo (Rtd), stated that the retirees would carry mattresses, cooking utensils, and other necessary items to the National Assembly.
Their message was clear: they will not leave until the police are removed from the CPS.
“We have exhausted our patience,” the statement declared. “If by the end of January 2025, the Nigeria Police are not removed from CPS, we will have no choice but to occupy the National Assembly.”
The retirees say they have been struggling under the CPS for too long, with many facing poverty and preventable deaths as a result.
The union has also expressed disappointment in the House Committee on Police Pension, which, despite holding public hearings and promising a report within a week, has failed to act on the issue.
Frustration Over Unfulfilled Promises
The retirees’ frustration is palpable. The promises made by the government and the House Committee on Police Pension seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
“There has been no update from the committee. We feel abandoned,” said the union’s statement.
The union’s leaders believe that the CPS, instead of providing relief, has created additional hardships for police retirees.
The statement highlighted the increasing poverty and hardship faced by the retirees due to the pension scheme, with many unable to meet basic needs after retirement.
“We worked for this country, and we deserve better than what the CPS is offering,” said Lawal. “We are being treated like second-class citizens.”
Call for Presidential Intervention
The retirees have not only directed their anger at the National Assembly but also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in their plight.
They have urged the president to address what they call the “enslavement” of police retirees under the CPS.
“For the sake of justice and equality, President Tinubu should step in and ensure that we are removed from the CPS and that our outstanding allowances and palliatives are paid,” the union said.
The retirees have accused the government of prioritising the concerns of other security agencies while ignoring those of police retirees.
Criticism of the Government’s Handling of Police Pension Issues
In their monthly meeting held on December 18, 2024, the retirees discussed the ongoing public hearings regarding the proposed Nigeria Police Pension Board.
The union criticised the government for failing to act on the issue, which has been dragging on for years.
“We are tired of hearing about promises and committees,” said Maigamo. “We want action now.”
The union also rejected claims made by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), the Nigeria Police Force Pension (NPF Pension), and the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) that it would cost the Federal Government N3 trillion to settle police pensions if they were to exit the CPS.
Debunking the N3 Trillion Claim
The union has strongly refuted the claim that it would take N3 trillion to settle police pensions if they were removed from the CPS.
According to the retirees, the total strength of the Nigeria Police Force is approximately 350,000, and not all officers retire at once.
“PENCOM has assets worth about 21 trillion naira,” the retirees said. “Even if N3 trillion is set aside for police pensions, PENCOM will still have a balance of 18 trillion naira.”
The union insists that the government can afford to remove police retirees from the CPS without facing financial collapse.
A Growing Resolve to Fight for Their Rights
Despite the government’s inaction, the union remains determined to fight for their rights.
“We will not rest until we are removed from the CPS,” said Lawal. “We are prepared to stay at the National Assembly until this issue is addressed.”
The retirees are also demanding the payment of their pending allowances and palliatives, which they say have been delayed for too long.
“We are not asking for anything unreasonable,” said Maigamo. “We just want what is rightfully ours.”
A Call for Solidarity
As the deadline of January 2025 approaches, the union has called for solidarity from other police retirees across the country.
“We urge all police retirees to join us in this fight,” the statement said. “We need to stand together to get the justice we deserve.”
With the deadline looming, the retirees are preparing for what could be a historic protest at the National Assembly.
If their demands are not met, the National Assembly may find itself facing a prolonged occupation that could force the government to address the grievances of the police retirees.
A Matter of Dignity and Justice
At the heart of the retirees’ demands is a sense of dignity. They feel that the CPS has stripped them of their dignity and left them in dire conditions.
“We have given our lives to the service of this nation, and this is how we are repaid,” said Lawal.
