IG pledges security for retired officers’ pension protest, warns against politicisation
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed readiness to provide full security support for the planned peaceful protest by retired officers over pension entitlements, while cautioning against the politicisation and distortion of the agitation.
He described as “disheartening” attempts by certain individuals to manipulate the legitimate concerns of retirees for ulterior motives, warning that such efforts undermine both the government and police leadership.
The protest, billed as “the mother of all peaceful protests,” is scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025, in the Federal Capital Territory and other states of the federation.
A statement on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said officers have been directed to ensure the protest remains peaceful, while protecting participants from possible hijack by miscreants or political actors.
He said, “It is disheartening to observe how certain actors have chosen to politicise a sensitive welfare issue, weaponising the legitimate grievances of our retired colleagues for ulterior motives.
Their intent is not reform, but disruption. Their tactics involve twisting facts, inflaming sentiments, and sowing distrust in the public space. These actions do a disservice not only to our noble institution but to the integrity of public discourse in our country.
“We, however, remain focused on the real issue, which is the welfare of those who once bore the burden of national security with courage and honour.”
As part of the protest preparations, Adejobi said the IGP has instructed Commissioners of Police across the country to sensitise serving officers on respecting the rights of retirees and ensuring the protest is handled with professionalism and dignity.
He said, “The Inspector-General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the protest within their jurisdictions, especially in the FCT and other states where formal notice has been received; provide adequate security coverage to our retired colleagues who have chosen to publicly express their grievances; prevent any hijack of the protest by miscreants, political actors, or non-retired agitators; sensitise officers and men under their command on the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, and the obligation to show utmost respect to our retired colleagues; while deploying intelligence and operational resources to protect lives, maintain public order, and safeguard institutional integrity.”
Adejobi urged the protesters to ensure the protest is peaceful.
He said, “The Inspector-General of Police charges all officers to note that this protest, described as “the mother of all peaceful protests”, must not only be peaceful; it must be exemplary, and as such should stand as a national model for dignified expression of grievance and responsible public order management.
“We must show, by conduct and command, that the Nigeria Police Force is both professional and humane. He further reiterates that this is more than a directive; it is a call to institutional responsibility, a test of our maturity, our values, and our discipline.”
Adejobi said the call by retired officers to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme is not a recent development.
According to him, successive Inspectors-General have backed the agitation, but progress has been hindered by statutory limitations, inter-agency complications, and fiscal constraints.
“The agitation for improved police pensions, particularly the call for exit from the CPS, is not a recent development. It has spanned over a decade. Since 2014, successive Inspectors-General of Police have demonstrated empathy, engaged critical stakeholders, and provided institutional support for this cause.
‘Yet, despite these earnest efforts, the desired outcome has remained elusive; not for lack of will, but due to entrenched legal provisions, fiscal limitations, and administrative bottlenecks.”
Despite this, he said the current police leadership is pursuing innovative short- and medium-term alternatives to alleviate the hardship faced by retirees.
These, he said, include exploring the use of internally generated revenue to supplement pensions and securing private sector support for targeted pension enhancement initiatives.
The police further noted that expert projections indicate the scheme’s benefits will improve significantly as it matures, and retirees within the next five years are expected to receive better payouts.
