Retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have rejected the Federal Government’s newly announced healthcare incentives, insisting that a complete exit from the controversial scheme remains their only demand.
Their rejection follows Bola Tinubu’s directive for the immediate rollout of free healthcare services for low-income retirees under the CPS, along with the implementation of long-delayed pension increases.
While the retirees acknowledged the President’s efforts, they argued that the core issue remains unresolved.
“We appreciate the President’s gesture, but our position is unchanged — we want to be removed from the CPS,” said Buba Danjuma, spokesperson for the protesting officers.
The group has staged multiple demonstrations in recent months, including a major protest on July 21, 2025, during which they blocked the entrance to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Their protests aim to pressure the federal government into exempting retired police officers from the CPS, which they claim has plunged many into financial hardship due to inadequate post-service benefits.
The officers continue to demand a return to the defined benefits pension system, arguing that the current scheme has failed to provide sufficient support in retirement.
“We are very happy that our cries have reached the President, and we appreciate his directives,” Danjuma said.
“However, what we want is our outright exit from the scheme. If we remain under CPS, we will still remain caged.”
Danjuma acknowledged the President’s intervention but insisted that their core demand remained a complete withdrawal from the scheme.
He pointed to other security agencies, such as the Department of State Services and the military, which have already exited the scheme. He questioned why police retirees should be treated differently.
“The DSS and military have all left and didn’t bother to remain under the CPS because of its many disadvantages. Why should we remain?” Danjuma added.
“We appreciate the President, but we want him to do everything possible to get us out of the scheme. We don’t want to remain there anymore.”
On July 21, 2025, a group of retired police officers staged a protest in Abuja over what they described as poor treatment by the Nigeria Police Force, particularly regarding their retirement benefits.
During the demonstration, the retirees voiced frustration over receiving only 25% of the total deductions made from their salaries throughout their 35 years of service.
They also accused the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of influencing the National Assembly to overlook their demands and ignore their plight.
One of the retired officers, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Lawrence Adekwu, criticised the police leadership for treating rank-and-file officers like “slaves.”
Adekwu highlighted the disparity in gratuity payments, citing a case where a retired DSP received just ₦2.1 million after 35 years of service, while a retired driver in the judiciary took home ₦8 million.
The protesting officers called for fair treatment and a comprehensive review of their retirement benefits, urging the authorities to urgently address their long-standing grievances.
Follow Parallel Facts on WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
