•IGP Egbetokun and protesting retired police officers
Retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme have vowed to resume their protests on October 14 at the National Assembly, despite recent interventions by the Inspector General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.
The retirees have for years demanded their removal from the CPS and the creation of a dedicated Police Pension Board, similar to those enjoyed by the military and the Department of State Services, reports The PUNCH.
In response to their protest in July, the IG, who decried the humiliating conditions of retirees under the scheme, said the police leadership had initiated efforts to augment the pension of retired officers and had presented its position to the National Assembly during the public hearing of the bill seeking to exempt the police from the scheme.
Also, on August 7, the president ordered the immediate implementation of overdue pension increases and the rollout of free healthcare access for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
He also ordered PenCom to resolve the issue surrounding police pension.
Speaking with our correspondent yesterday, the leader of the aggrieved officers, CSP Mannir Lawal (retd.), said the retirees had grown frustrated over the continued delay in exiting the scheme, which he described as exploitative and unfair to members of the Nigeria Police Force.
“We are coming out en masse again on October 14 at the National Assembly. An order was given by the President, but they are trying to moderate the CPS to attract our attention. But we have told them that no matter the adjustments, we don’t want to remain under it. We want a total exit and the establishment of the Nigerian Police Pension Board.”
He disclosed that the leadership of the National Pension Commission had met with the group, but the retirees insisted on their position.
“The PenCom boss met with us, and we made it clear that we don’t want to remain under the CPS. The Army, the DSS, and the NIA have all exited the scheme. Why are the police being treated differently? Did we commit a crime by serving as police officers?”
Lawal expressed frustration that many Nigerians were unaware of the difficulties facing retired officers under the scheme, describing it as a “scam.”
“People outside don’t know what is happening, but we inside know. The CPS is a scam—a real scam. We have been on this for over 15 years. We have written to Mr. President several times, but there has been no concrete response. We have been pushed to the wall.”
Lawal said the October 14 protest would continue until the government grants their demand for a full exit from the CPS and the creation of a dedicated Nigerian Police Pension Board.
