Retired Police Officers Storm National Assembly, Demand Exit From Contributory Pension Scheme

By Diafa Doubra, Warri 

Retired police officers from across the country gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja to protest what they described as years of injustice under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). The retirees, many visibly elderly and carrying placards, said the scheme has pushed thousands of former officers into hardship, leaving them with “embarrassingly low” monthly payments despite decades of service to the nation. They argued that police work is dangerous and should not fall under a pension structure they say was designed without considering the risks inherent in law enforcement.

The protesters called on lawmakers to immediately remove the Nigeria Police Force from the CPS and restore their access to the more stable, government-funded Defined Benefits Scheme. According to them, several previous appeals to the federal government have been ignored, forcing them to take their grievances to the streets once again. They urged the National Assembly to intervene, warning that many retired officers are struggling to survive and deserve better after dedicating their lives to maintaining national security.