A retired police officer on Thursday collapsed at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja as hundreds of ex-personnel of the Nigeria Police Force staged a protest demanding payment of their long-overdue pensions and entitlements.
The retirees, under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) Police Retirees Association, gathered at the main gate of the complex carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We Are Dying in Silence,” “Pay Us Our Pensions,” and “35 Years of Service, Nothing to Show.”
Their protest temporarily disrupted movement around the area as they chanted solidarity songs and accused the Federal Government of neglecting those who had risked their lives in service.
According to reports, one of the protesters — a man in his late 70s — slumped while chanting but was quickly revived after security personnel provided first aid.
The retirees decried their living conditions, saying they had been forced into hardship despite dedicating over three decades to national service. They demanded immediate removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme, describing it as “unfair and exploitative,” and called for a return to the Defined Benefits Scheme, which they said provided more stability for pensioners.
This marks the second protest in recent months. A similar demonstration was held in October, with activist Omoyele Sowore joining in solidarity. Sowore had described the CPS as a “fraudulent arrangement” and criticised the government for allowing retirees to suffer after years of service.
“I’m not just fighting for the police; I’m fighting with retired police officers,” Sowore said during the earlier protest. “Those holding your destinies must know Nigerians will not continue to suffer in silence.”
He also urged other retirees across the civil service and security agencies to unite and demand justice.
In Nigeria, many pensioners continue to face delays in receiving their entitlements, with some reportedly dying before their benefits are paid.
