The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has agreed to personally meet with retired police officers who took to the streets of Abuja on Monday in protest over years of unpaid entitlements and poor retirement benefits.
The assurance was conveyed through the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, who addressed the retirees shortly after the protest began.
The protest, which saw a gathering of ageing officers in faded uniforms and plain clothes, was a public outcry against what they described as “decades of silence and neglect” by the very system they once risked their lives to protect. “We are not asking for luxuries,” one protester said. “We only want what we earned. Is that too much?”
IGP Intervention Underway
According to a statement shared on the official X handle of the Nigeria Police Force, the Force Headquarters has begun arrangements for the IGP to meet with a delegation of the retired officers at the Peacekeeping Hall in Abuja, a rare gesture that underscores the seriousness of their demands.
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While the statement acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the protest, it also revealed that “some individuals with ulterior motives” had attempted to hijack the demonstration before being swiftly contained.
Demand for Dignity
The protesters are demanding improved welfare, not only for themselves but also for serving officers who, they say, face similarly bleak futures upon retirement. Many of them said they had not received full pensions for years, while some spoke of colleagues who died waiting for medical help they could no longer afford.
One retired officer said, “We were once the backbone of this country’s security. Now we’re treated like we never mattered.”
As the Nigeria Police Force moves to engage with its retired personnel, the question lingers: will this meeting lead to real change, or will it be another round of promises with no follow-through?
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.