“NIGERIANS, PLEASE SHOW US LOVE” — RETIRED POLICEMEN LAMENT POOR WELFARE, BEG TINUBU GOVT TO EXIT FORCE FROM PENCOM

Retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme have issued a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians and the Federal Government, lamenting their deteriorating welfare and demanding that the Nigeria Police Force be exited from what they describe as an “obnoxious pension scheme” administered by the National Pension Commission.

The retired policemen PENCOM welfare plea comes amid mounting frustration over unpaid gratuities and pensions that they say have left them struggling to survive in retirement.

THE ULTIMATUM

The retirees, under the aegis of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, issued a fresh ultimatum to the Federal Government, PENCOM and the Inspector-General of Police, demanding the fulfilment of agreements on gratuity payments and pension enhancement by October 15, 2026.

The association, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator and Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter, Mannir Lawal, warned that failure to meet the deadline would compel them to stage a peaceful mass protest in Abuja on November 2, 2026 .

THE BROKEN PROMISES

The retirees expressed disappointment over the failure of the authorities to implement commitments reportedly made during negotiations, despite assurances that the agreed measures would be implemented by the end of September 2026.

They said the Director-General of PENCOM had assured them of the payment of gratuity equivalent to 300 per cent of their annual emoluments and an increase in monthly pensions to 100 per cent of the applicable salary benchmark.

The failure to implement these measures, they said, had undermined confidence in the negotiation process and heightened concerns about the welfare of affected retirees.

THE HUMAN COST

The retirees said they had devoted their productive years to protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, and safeguarding national security.

“Our patience and commitment to dialogue should not be mistaken for weakness,” they said.

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, which has backed the retirees’ demands, highlighted the stark reality of their pensions: an Assistant Superintendent of Police who served the nation for 35 years receives a monthly pension of just ₦30,000, while a Superintendent of Police receives ₦35,000 and a Chief Superintendent of Police receives ₦45,000.

“These amounts are grossly inadequate in an economy where a bag of rice reportedly costs about ₦60,000. This is not a dignified pension; it is a form of punishment,” CDHR said .

THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION

The Ministry of Police Affairs has said the Federal Government is committed to addressing the welfare and pension concerns of retired police personnel, including the call for the NPF to exit the CPS administered by PENCOM.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anuma Ogbonnaya Nlia, said the Ministry had previously communicated its position to the Presidency and would submit a further reminder to emphasise the urgency of the matter.

He noted that transitioning from the Contributory Pension Scheme to an appropriate Defined Benefit Scheme would require careful policy, legal and executive consideration.

WHY IT MATTERS

The plight of retired police officers is a moral test for the Tinubu administration.

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These are men and women who risked their lives to protect Nigerians. Many of them served for decades, often in dangerous conditions and with inadequate equipment. Now, in retirement, they are struggling to afford basic necessities.

The demand for an exit from PENCOM is not new. It has been raised repeatedly, and the government has acknowledged it. But acknowledgement without action is meaningless.

For the retirees, the October 15 deadline has passed. The November 2 protest looms. And the question remains: will Nigerians show them love?

ValidViewNetwork reports that the retirees have threatened a mass protest. The government has not announced a timeline for resolving their demands