The Lagos State Coordinator of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeeq, has expressed strong solidarity with Nigerian police officers following their protest notice to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over ongoing pension injustices.
Reacting to the development via his official Facebook account, Adeyemi stated:
“We are with the Nigeria Police Force on this! Once they hit the street, we will join them ✊. Solidarity forever.”
The statement comes in response to growing unrest within the ranks of the Nigeria Police Force, as retired officers demand urgent pension reforms and improved welfare.
Many of the aggrieved officers have accused the authorities of abandoning them after years of dedicated service under dangerous and underpaid conditions.
Also, human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, has slammed the Nigerian government over the poor pension package paid to a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) after 35 years of service, describing the treatment of the officer as wicked.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Sowore, the aggrieved retired office narrated how, after serving the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years, he was left heartbroken by the pension payout he received.
“I am a retired DSP from the Nigeria Police Force. I retired last year. Just last week, I received a text from the Trust Fund Pension, that they have received my bond and that I should come and apply for my benefit,” the officer stated, his voice heavy with emotion.
“Reaching there, they gave me a consent form to sign, in which I saw they listed my benefits. One, my gratuity which is N1,070,000. Second, my nine months arrears is N368,000, and my monthly pension is N46,000.55,” he added.
He further appealed to President Bola Tinubu for urgent intervention, saying, “The total amount they are to give me is N2.4 million, and the monthly pension is N46,000.55. I don’t even know. I don’t have to say much. I only want to plead with Mr. President to intervene.”
Reacting to the viral video, Sowore condemned the meager sum allotted to the officer.
“Here is a retired DSP speaking about his gratuity and pension after 35 years in service. He is entitled to N2.4 million which is roughly $2,000 after working for 35 years! This is wicked!” Sowore wrote.
In recent months, several retired officers have taken to social media to protest what they describe as dehumanizing conditions after retirement.
The outrage comes just weeks after revelations that some top public officials continue to enjoy inflated pensions and multiple streams of retirement income, further fuelling public anger over the disparity in post-service treatment between ordinary security personnel and political elites.
With rising inflation and economic hardship across Nigeria, many believe that the current pension model for police officers is unsustainable and unjust.
As public anger mounts, pressure is building on Tinubu regime to take swift action to correct what many see as a national disgrace.
Leave a Reply