In a show of resilience and frustration, several retired police officers gathered on Monday under heavy rainfall to stage a protest at the main gate of the National Assembly in Abuja.
The demonstrators, mostly elderly ex-officers, expressed their discontent with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), calling for their immediate removal from the system.
Armed with placards and voices filled with years of pent-up dissatisfaction, the retirees stood their ground while chanting solidarity songs. Many of them, despite their advanced age, braved the downpour to press home their demands, stating that their welfare had been disregarded for far too long by the authorities.
One of the vocal participants was retired Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Manir Lawal, who made a heartfelt plea to the government. Addressing fellow protesters and onlookers, he described the pension scheme as exploitative and incapable of offering police retirees a dignified life after years of dedicated service.
“We are here to ask the government to remove us from the CPS. The pension scheme is exploitative and unjust,” Lawal said emphatically.
He further stated, “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.”
According to the protesters, the current pension arrangement has not only failed to provide financial security but has also subjected them to prolonged economic hardship after their years in uniform.
Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the group remained steadfast, vowing to continue the protest until the leadership of the National Assembly gives them a hearing and addresses their grievances.
Meanwhile, security personnel were present at the protest site, keeping a watchful eye to ensure that the demonstration remained peaceful and orderly.
