A protest unfolded at the heart of Nigeria’s power seat on Monday. Retired police officers blocked a gate at the Presidential Villa.
The retirees, alongside their families, gathered under the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria. They demanded urgent government intervention.
Their main concern remains the Contributory Pension Scheme, which they strongly oppose. Many described it in harsh terms.
The group labelled the scheme as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious,” expressing deep dissatisfaction.
Moreover, they urged President Bola Tinubu to sign the Police Exit Bill into law.
According to the protesters, the legislation had already been passed by the National Assembly. It was forwarded to the Presidency earlier this year.
Leading the demonstration, CSP Raphael Irowainu (retd.) explained their mission clearly.
“Our major aim here is to prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign our bill the bill exiting the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme passed by the National Assembly on 4th December 2025 and transmitted to him on 16th March, 2026, into law, nothing more than that,” he said.
Furthermore, the retirees expressed frustration over unequal treatment among security agencies.
“The soldiers have been exited, the SSS has been exited, the Air Force has been exited, the Navy has been exited, the National Intelligence Agency has been exited. The police, who are the father of them all, are trapped in this obnoxious Contributory Pension Scheme,” he added.
Some described the scheme as a “slavery and untimely death-inducing pension scheme.” These claims reflect deep emotional distress.
However, this is not the first time such protests have been staged. Similar demonstrations were held in 2025 at the National Assembly.
In addition, some retirees had earlier gathered at the Force Headquarters. They voiced concerns over poor pension conditions.
Many of those involved are elderly and depend heavily on these benefits.
