Nigeria’s Police Retirees Announce Indefinite Protest From September 29

The Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF) has announced the reactivation of its indefinite national peaceful protest over the continued inclusion of the Nigeria Police Force in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), saying the demonstration will commence on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, until further notice. The retired officers said the decision followed the failure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill, which was transmitted to the Presidency by the National Assembly on March 16, 2026. The forum also expressed disappointment that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji R. Disu, had not provided the feedback expected after promising to consult with the President on the pension issue. PROF disclosed this in a letter dated September 21, 2026, addressed to President Tinubu and signed by its National Coordinator, CSP Raphael I. Irowainu (Rtd.), and National Secretary, Dr. Enyi Nnaemezie Ignatius, SP (Rtd.). The forum said its National Executive Council (NEC) had earlier resolved to suspend the planned protest on August 10, 2026, following an assurance by IGP Disu that the pension-related concerns affecting the Nigeria Police would be resolved within two weeks. According to the retired officers, the assurance was given during a meeting between the national leadership of PROF and the IGP and his management team at the IGP Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on August 6, 2026. The forum, however, said the expected resolution had not materialised. It stated that President Tinubu had yet to assent to the Police Exit Bill despite its transmission to the Presidency by the National Assembly on March 16, while the promised feedback from the IGP had also not been received. The development has now prompted PROF to reactivate its protest, which it has code-named “NO RETREAT; NO SURRENDER.” The group said the protest would begin on September 29 and continue indefinitely until further notice. The retired officers said their primary objective was to prevail on President Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill and make it law, thereby taking the Nigeria Police Force out of the CPS. The bill seeks to exempt the Nigeria Police from the contributory pension arrangement and place its pension structure on an arrangement the retirees say would be comparable with those applicable to personnel in the military and other security agencies. The National Assembly passed the bill on December 4, 2025, before transmitting it to the Presidency on March 16, 2026. The issue has already triggered protests by retired police officers in Abuja earlier this year. During an April 2026 protest, retired police officers and their families demonstrated at the Presidential Villa, with protesters demanding that the President assent to the legislation. According to the September 21 letter, the renewed protest will take place at several government and diplomatic locations in Abuja, as well as governors' offices across the country. The locations listed by PROF are: Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, National Pension Commission (PenCom) National Headquarters, Abuja, Ministry of Police Affairs, Abuja, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja and United Nations Office, Abuja. Others locations listed are United States Embassy, Abuja, Embassy of France, Abuja, British High Commission, Abuja, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Police Service Commission Headquarters, Abuja and offices of the 36 state governors across the federation. The retired officers said their demand was being driven by the hardship suffered by police retirees under the existing pension arrangement. PROF claimed that more than 20 police retirees had died within the previous six months, while several others were bedridden because they could not afford basic social and medical needs. The forum also claimed that more than 40 serving police officers had died in the line of duty during the same period. According to the retirees, the situation had affected the morale of serving police personnel and could have implications for national security. They argued that police officers who had spent years protecting the country deserved adequate welfare and dignity after retirement. “As patriotic Nigerians who have eminently contributed our quota to the peaceful coexistence, security, stability, and development of our dear nation, we deserve peace, comfort, dignity, and a better standard of living in our post-retirement years,” the forum said. The group insisted that its demand would not be compromised or negotiated away. PROF also raised concerns over alleged disparities between the pensions received by retired police officers and those of personnel in other security agencies. The forum explained that a private in the Nigerian Army and officers of equivalent ranks in other sister security agencies could receive higher monthly pensions than a retired Commissioner of Police. It described such a situation as unacceptable and called for urgent intervention. PROF appealed to President Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill in the interest of retired police officers, serving personnel and national security. The forum said improved welfare for police personnel was directly connected to the morale and effectiveness of officers responsible for maintaining internal security. It urged the President to act on the bill rather than allow the pension dispute to continue. The retirees also urged the IGP to fulfil the commitment made during the August 6 meeting and provide an update on the outcome of his promised consultation with the President. The letter was copied to Vice-President Kashim Shettima; First Lady Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; the 36 state governors; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele; and the Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, among others. Others are the Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Police Service Commission Chairman Hashim Argungu; IGP Disu; Director-General of the State Security Service Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; PenCom Director-General Omolola Bridget Oloworaran; and other senior security and police officials. The forum urged President Tinubu to sign the bill into law, saying this would address what it described as the suffering of police retirees and improve the welfare of the Nigeria Police Force. It also declared its continued commitment to the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.