The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has responded to public discussions surrounding the planned peaceful protest by retired police officers over pension-related concerns, urging calm and clarifying its stance on the matter.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of its retired personnel while cautioning against the politicization of the protest.
The protest is centered on pension-related concerns, particularly the demand for an exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The issue has persisted for over a decade, with successive Inspectors-General of Police demonstrating empathy and providing institutional support.
“It has spanned over a decade. Since 2014, successive Inspectors-General of Police have demonstrated empathy, engaged critical stakeholders, and provided institutional support for this cause.
“Yet, despite these earnest efforts, the desired outcome has remained elusive; not for lack of will, but due to entrenched legal provisions, fiscal limitations, and administrative bottlenecks.
”The hard truth is that exiting the Police from the CPS lies beyond the remit of any Inspector-General, as the matter is deeply woven into a web of statutory mandates, inter-agency protocols, and policy inertia, ” the statement said.
”Despite these efforts, the desired outcome has remained elusive due to legal and administrative constraints beyond the powers of any Inspector-General, ” the statement added.
Despite this, the NPF acknowledged the legitimacy of the agitation for improved pension conditions but criticised certain individuals and groups for allegedly exploiting the protest for political gain.
The Force accused the actors of spreading misinformation and distorting facts to discredit the government and undermine the institution.
The NPF emphasised that the matter was deeply woven into a web of statutory mandates, inter-agency protocols, and policy inertia, making it challenging to resolve.
The current police leadership outlined a two-pronged strategy: supporting the call for reform while initiating alternative solutions to meet the immediate needs of retirees.
Measures include tapping into internally generated revenue and mobilizing private sector partnerships to enhance pension benefits.
The NPF pledged to protect the rights of retirees to protest peacefully and instructed officers to treat retired colleagues with utmost respect.
With the protest scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has directed all Commissioners of Police to ensure peaceful conduct and provide adequate security coverage.
The NPF would make efforts to prevent the hijacking of the demonstration by non-retired actors or political agitators.
The statement emphasised that the protest must not only be peaceful but also exemplary, urging serving officers to uphold professionalism and view the moment as a test of the Force’s values and discipline.
The IGP warned serving officers against falling prey to manipulation or misinformation from individuals unfamiliar with the ethics and discipline of the profession.
The NPF emphasised the importance of maintaining professionalism and adhering to the values of the Force.
