Police Retirees Mobilise For Protest Today

Unless there is urgent intervention from the constituted authority,
Retired officers have fixed, today, April 20, 2026, for a nationwide protest over pension concerns, just as they distanced themselves from a rival group, saying it does not represent their interests.

The retirees, under their Nigeria Police Force Pension Scheme, said the planned protest is aimed at drawing attention to lingering issues affecting their welfare, particularly delays and disparities in pension payments.

The chairman of police retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, Mannir Lawal, announced plans for a fresh protest, today April 20, 2026.

Lawal said the planned protest would be led by what he termed the “original agitators,” who have been championing the cause of police retirees for over 15 years.

According to him, the decision followed a series of engagements and disagreements within the retirees’ movement.

Lawal alleged that the splinter group’s protest was poorly attended and failed to secure any engagement with lawmakers, adding that their actions led to confusion and disruption.

“We dissociated ourselves with them and proceeded with our own protest on October 14, which lasted for about 46 days,” he said.

He noted that following the prolonged protest, some discussions were initiated with government representatives in December, but claimed that progress stalled, prompting renewed agitation.

Lawal further disclosed that the group had also engaged the Inspector-General of Police, who urged unity among the retirees, but said his members resolved to proceed independently after internal consultations across 35 states.

He said the decision to fix April 20 for the next protest was reached after giving the police leadership time to address their concerns.

He explained that the April 20 protest date was agreed upon after giving the police leadership time to act.

“We are the pioneers of this agitation. We have given enough time, but now we are going ahead with our protest.

“Our own, we are coming on the 20th, and we are not going to listen to IG again.

“We met with him earlier, and he requested we give him time since he just resumed. Now, we have no business with IG because our issue is with the President,” he said.

He added that the retirees’ grievances were primarily directed at the federal government, noting that the protest would focus on pressing their demands at the highest level.

Lawal said this time around they would avert what transpired during the 9th Assembly.

“For the past 15 years, this is how we have been struggling. We don’t want what happened during the 9th Assembly to repeat itself this time around,” he said.

The chairman also dismissed claims by the rival group that it enjoyed wider support, insisting that the faction had only a small following.

“You have seen them today. They are very small. When you come on April 20, you will see the difference.”

The agitation by police retirees under the contributory pension scheme has persisted for years, with calls for improved welfare and a review of the pension structure.

This is coming as some retired officers under the Nigeria Police Force pension system protested at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, on Monday

The protesters who are under the Contributory Pension Scheme claimed it had failed to provide adequate post-retirement welfare for police officers.

They called for urgent reforms to the system, including improved and timely pension payments, and in some cases, a complete withdrawal of police retirees from the CPS in favour of a more reliable and transparent arrangement that guarantees dignity in retirement.

They chanted slogans such as “We no go gree, we no go gree, wuru wuru pension we no go gree,” accusing authorities of attempting to silence or intimidate them.

“We are fighting for our rights, and you say you will deal with people? You cannot intimidate us,” one of the protesters said.

“We served the Nigerian Police for 35 years with pain and suffering. Now that we are retired, we are supposed to enjoy the fruits of our labour, but the police and the government have decided that we should continue to suffer and die in suffering. Enough is enough,” another retiree said.

Although the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, had a meeting with the protesters to nip it in the bud, the protest may still hold.

Efforts to get the confirmation or denial from insiders in the Police Pension Commission failed, as they neither pick calls or responded to WhatsApp messages.