Samuel Omang
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has assured retired police officers of full security coverage during their planned peaceful protest over pension entitlements, while cautioning against attempts to politicise or hijack the demonstration.
Describing the welfare concerns of the retirees as legitimate, Egbetokun expressed disappointment at efforts by some individuals to manipulate the agitation for personal or political gain. He stressed that such actions undermine the integrity of both the Nigeria Police Force and the government.
The protest, tagged “the mother of all peaceful protests,” is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 21, 2025, in Abuja and across various states.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP directed all Commissioners of Police to provide adequate security for the protesters, ensure the demonstration remains peaceful, and prevent any attempts by miscreants or political actors to hijack it.
“It is disheartening to observe how certain actors have chosen to politicise a sensitive welfare issue, weaponising the legitimate grievances of our retired colleagues for ulterior motives,” the statement read. “We, however, remain focused on the real issue, which is the welfare of those who once bore the burden of national security with courage and honour.”
Egbetokun further instructed serving officers to respect the rights of the retirees and manage the protest with professionalism and dignity.
He emphasised that the call for better pension packages, particularly the push to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), is not new. According to him, successive IGPs have supported the demand, but progress has been hampered by legal, fiscal, and administrative challenges.
Despite these hurdles, the current police leadership is exploring short- and medium-term measures to improve retirees’ welfare, including the use of internally generated revenue and private sector support for pension enhancement initiatives.
The IGP called on all participants to maintain peace, urging officers to ensure the protest serves as a “national model for dignified expression of grievance and responsible public order management.”