Police Pensioners Hit the Street; Demand Police Exit Bill Signed

Retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday blocked a gate of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

They protested continued inclusion in the Contributory Pension Scheme and demanded urgent action from Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The protest was led by the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, which described the scheme in harsh terms and called for immediate reform.

“Our major aim here is to prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign our bill,” said CSP Raphael Irowainu (retd.).

“The bill exiting the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme… nothing more than that.”

The retirees said the Police Exit Bill was passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025.

They added that it was sent to the Presidency on March 16, 2026, but has not yet received assent.

Meanwhile, the group said its members blocked the gate to draw attention to what they described as years of neglect under the current pension system.

“This scheme is fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious,” the forum said.

Retirees Demand Exit From Pension Scheme

The Contributory Pension Scheme was introduced in 2004 to replace the old defined benefit system.

It requires workers and employers to contribute to retirement savings accounts managed by pension administrators.

However, retired officers argue that the system has failed to meet their welfare needs after decades of service.

“The police… are trapped in this obnoxious Contributory Pension Scheme,” Irowainu said.

He said other security agencies have already been removed from the scheme through policy adjustments over time.

“The soldiers have been exited… the Air Force… the Navy… the SSS… the National Intelligence Agency,” he added.

“The police, who are the father of them all, are still inside.”

Repeated Protests Show Growing Frustration

This is not the first protest by police retirees over pension issues.

In July 2025, similar demonstrations took place at the National Assembly and the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Many retirees, including elderly officers, gathered to express concerns about delayed payments and low benefits.

“This is a slavery and untimely death-inducing pension scheme,” the forum declared.

The latest action reflects rising frustration among former officers who say they are excluded from benefits granted to peers in other services.

Reports from Channels Television and Premium Times show the issue has lingered for years.

Meanwhile, stakeholders say the Police Exit Bill could change the system by returning officers to a defined benefits structure.

Until then, the retirees insist they will continue to push for action through peaceful protest.

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