There was rising tension in Abuja on Monday as retired police officers and activists led by 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, staged what they called the “mother of all protests” over poor police welfare and pension issues.
While Sowore and civil society groups gathered to demand better welfare for serving officers, members of the Nigeria Union of Retired Police Officers marched to the National Assembly and Force Headquarters, calling for their removal from the contributory pension scheme, which they described as unfair and discriminatory.
Chairman of the union, Mannir M. Lawal, said police pensioners from all 36 states were in Abuja for the peaceful demonstration. He maintained that the only demand was for retired officers to be removed from the contributory scheme and for their full savings to be refunded.
“We have informed the FCT Police Commissioner of our plans. We are not backing down,” Lawal said. He also clarified that their protest was not coordinated with Sowore’s group, saying, “We only saw his protest announcement online.”
However, the Nigeria Police Force expressed concern, accusing unnamed political actors of using the welfare issues of retired officers for political gain. Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said some individuals were “weaponizing legitimate grievances” to stir public unrest.
“Their intent is not reform, but disruption,” Adejobi said, warning that twisting facts and creating distrust only harms the police and public discourse.
Despite the tension, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered Commissioners of Police across the country to ensure protesters are protected during the demonstration.
Meanwhile, a leaked internal memo showed some officers, especially in the Federal Capital Territory, were ordered to remain in their barracks “until further notice.”
In a social media post, Sowore accused the Tinubu administration of disrespecting police personnel by failing to pay decent salaries or offer proper pensions.
“You humiliated them in service and in retirement,” he said. “Now you’re scrambling to save face.”
As the protests gain attention, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has urged the retirees to return to negotiations, warning that the public protest could damage the image of the Inspector General of Police.
