Police pensioners rally for protests after talks collapse

Egbetokun

Retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme have vowed to resume their protests on October 14 at the National Assembly, despite recent interventions by the Inspector General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

The retirees have for years demanded their removal from the CPS and the creation of a dedicated Police Pension Board, similar to those enjoyed by the military and the Department of State Services.

In response to their protest in July, the IG, who decried the humiliating conditions of retirees under the scheme, said the police leadership had initiated efforts to augment the pension of retired officers and had presented its position to the National Assembly during the public hearing of the bill seeking to exempt the police from the scheme.

Also, on August 7, the president ordered the immediate implementation of overdue pension increases and the rollout of free healthcare access for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

He also ordered PenCom to resolve the issue surrounding police pension.

Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, the leader of the aggrieved officers, CSP Mannir Lawal (retd.), said the retirees had grown frustrated over the continued delay in exiting the scheme, which he described as exploitative and unfair to members of the Nigeria Police Force. Punch