By Alade Adisa
Despite heavy downpour, hundreds of retired police officers on Monday besieged the gate of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to register their protest against poor welfare and the delay in getting their retirement benefits.
Regarding their pensions, the retirees called on the authorities to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pensions Scheme.
They described the scheme as exploitative.
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Their grouse is that the scheme not only delays their entitlements from being paid, but also that it is not the true reflection of how their dues should be paid.
Speaking during the protest, a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Manir Lawal (retd.) said, ” We are here to ask the government to remove us from the CPS. The pension scheme is exploitative and unjust.
“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. This scheme has impoverished us. It is our right to demand better”.
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Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has mandated police formations nationwide to handle the protests with civility.
Former policemen had earlier given notice that they would embark on nationwide protests from Monday over issues concerning their welfare.
Egbetokun’s order was contained in a statement by the Force Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
