Retired police officers across Nigeria have declared their intention to embark on a nationwide peaceful protest on July 21, 2025, in a fresh move to demand the removal of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The planned protest, which they have dubbed the “Mother of All Peaceful Protests,” was announced by the Kaduna State chapter of the Union of Retired Police Officers following their monthly meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess in Kaduna.
Speaking on behalf of the union, Chairman Mannir M. Lawal Zaria and Vice Chairman Danlami Maigamo described the CPS as a source of severe economic hardship, psychological trauma, and financial insecurity for thousands of retired police personnel. According to them, the situation has led to a surge in depression and even deaths among their ranks.
“Our members are suffering. The current pension system has failed to guarantee financial stability in retirement. After years of service, we are left to face poverty and humiliation,” the union stated. “This protest is our last resort.”
The union emphasized that the demonstration would be entirely peaceful and coordinated across all 36 states, maintaining that their demands are rooted in justice and respect for the dignity of retired officers.
“As law-abiding citizens, we have chosen to follow the path of peace, and we remain firm in our call for the Nigeria Police to be removed from the CPS and placed under a dedicated Police Pension Board,” they added.
The group expressed frustration over the lack of progress since their earlier protest at the National Assembly between February 24 and March 3, 2025. During that demonstration, petitions were submitted to several key figures, including the leadership of the Senate and House Committees on Police Affairs and Pensions, as well as the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).
They also lamented the silence of federal lawmakers regarding the outcome of the public hearing on the Police Pension Board Bill, which took place on November 19, 2024.
“The government’s continued silence is not only disappointing but also dangerous. It shows a lack of concern for the welfare of those who risked their lives to protect the nation,” the union said.
The retirees reiterated their commitment to peaceful advocacy and disassociated themselves from any individuals or groups advocating violence, stressing that their movement is focused solely on securing fair and humane treatment for retired officers.
They concluded by calling on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently revisit and pass the Police Pension Board Bill as a lasting solution to what they describe as a “systemic injustice” faced by police retirees under the current pension regime.
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