Amid heavy rainfall, a group of retired police officers on Monday staged a protest at the entrance gate of the National Assembly in Abuja, demanding their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The elderly demonstrators, holding placards and chanting solidarity songs, braved the downpour as they called for urgent reforms to what they described as a “fraudulent and exploitative” pension system.
Leading the protest, retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Manir Lawal, urged the Federal Government to exit police retirees from the CPS, which he said had left them impoverished despite years of dedicated service.
“I am 67 years old. Many of us here are in our 60s and 70s. We have served this country faithfully and deserve to retire in dignity,” Lawal said. “This scheme has impoverished us. It is our right to demand better.”
The protesters insisted they would not leave the premises until they received assurances from the leadership of the National Assembly.
Many of the ex-officers expressed frustration over delayed payments, inadequate pensions, and lack of medical benefits, stressing that the current scheme was not designed to support aging personnel.
Security personnel were deployed to monitor the peaceful protest, ensuring there was no disruption to public order.
The protest highlights ongoing concerns among retired public servants over the structure and fairness of Nigeria’s pension system, especially for former security operatives.
