The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has directed all state Commissioners of Police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the planned protest by some retired officers regarding their pension entitlements, particularly within their jurisdictions, especially in the FCT and other states where formal notice has been received.
The protest is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 21, 2025.
The retired officers are demanding improved police pensions and are calling for the exit of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, claiming that the Scheme has failed to provide them with financial security and dignity in retirement.
The IGP, in a statement signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, said adequate security coverage will be provided to enable them to express their grievances and to prevent any hijacking of the protest.
The IGP also directed the Commissioners of Police to sensitise officers and men under their command on the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and the obligation to show utmost respect to their retired colleagues, while deploying intelligence and operational resources to protect lives, maintain public order, and safeguard institutional integrity.
Adejobi explained that the IGP has interacted extensively with many retired officers over the past year, and several groups have since withdrawn their support for the protest.
“This issue has spanned over a decade. Since 2014, successive IGP 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,”; he stated.
Adejobi noted, “However, having appreciated the direction of current efforts; for those who still choose to proceed, their rights will be protected.
“We will provide adequate security for our retired colleagues who have chosen to publicly express their grievances; prevent any hijack of the protest by miscreants, political actors, or non-retired agitators.”;
The statement warned serving officers against being misled by disruptive elements, while urging them to uphold institutional values with wisdom, restraint, and unwavering respect for retired officers.
“This protest, described as ‘the mother of all peaceful protests’, must not only be peaceful; it must be exemplary, and as such should stand as a national model for dignified expression of grievance and responsible public order.
“We must show, by conduct and command, that the NPF is both professional and humane,”; the NPF maintained.
