The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has addressed public concerns over a planned peaceful protest by retired police officers regarding pension issues, urging calm and offering clarification on its position.
In a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the NPF reiterated its commitment to the welfare of its retired personnel, while warning against the politicisation of the matter.
The statement acknowledged the legitimacy of the call for improved pensions and withdrawal from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), describing it as an issue that has endured for over a decade.
“This agitation is not new. Since 2014, successive Inspectors-General have shown empathy, engaged stakeholders, and provided institutional backing,” it noted. “However, despite genuine efforts, progress has stalled due to legal and administrative limitations beyond the powers of any IGP.”
The Force explained that the legal structure surrounding the CPS ties the matter into complex statutory and policy frameworks, making a unilateral exit impossible.
While reaffirming support for the protest’s core demands, the police leadership criticised certain individuals and groups for allegedly using the movement to score political points or spread misinformation aimed at discrediting the government.
“It is disheartening that some actors have chosen to politicise a sensitive welfare issue, exploiting the grievances of our retired colleagues for ulterior motives,” the statement read.
In response, the police unveiled a twofold approach—continued advocacy for reform and the development of alternative relief mechanisms for affected retirees. This includes utilising internally generated revenue and seeking private sector support to improve pension benefits.
With the protest scheduled for Monday, 21 July 2025, in Abuja and several other states, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police to provide full security coverage and ensure the peaceful conduct of the demonstrations.
The Force assured that it would protect the rights of retirees to protest peacefully and instructed officers to treat their former colleagues with respect and dignity. It also vowed to prevent the protest from being hijacked by external agitators or politically motivated individuals.
“The protest must not only be peaceful; it must be exemplary,” the statement added, calling on serving officers to remain professional and uphold the Force’s values.
The IGP further urged serving personnel not to fall for misinformation or manipulation by those unfamiliar with the discipline and ethics of the police profession.