Sowore, Activists join police retirees in Mass protest over pension scheme in Abuja

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday, led a major protest in Abuja alongside retired police officers, demanding better welfare for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

The demonstration, which began at the National Assembly complex, was organized by the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers, who are calling for their immediate removal from the contributory pension scheme. The retirees described the current pension arrangement as “discriminatory,” alleging that it has led to the untimely deaths of many of their colleagues due to poor welfare and delayed payments.

Protesters vowed to continue their march to the Force Headquarters, urging the government to implement a more just and effective pension system for retired officers.

Meanwhile, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has condemned the protest, warning that it could be an attempt to discredit the Inspector General of Police and the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The committee appealed to the retirees to return to the negotiation table instead of staging public demonstrations.

As of press time, the protest remains peaceful, with heavy security presence around key government institutions in Abuja.