MON JULY 21 2025-theGBJournal| The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on Sunday delivered a nerve calming message to retired Police officers beginning what they described as “the mother of all peaceful protests” today, in relation to their pension entitlements.
”Let us rise to this moment with wisdom, restraint, and unwavering respect for those who served before us,” the IGP urged serving officers, and directed all Commissioners of Police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the protest within their jurisdictions, especially in the FCT and other states where formal notice has been received.
He equally directed that adequate security be provided ”for coverage to our retired colleagues who have chosen to publicly express their grievances.”
The IGP, concerned about possibility of disorderliness and infiltration, tasked his men to prevent any hijack of the protest by miscreants, political actors, or non-retired agitators, sensitise officers and men under their command on the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, and the obligation to show utmost respect to our retired colleagues, while deploying intelligence and operational resources to protect lives, maintain public order, and safeguard institutional integrity.
The Inspector-General of Police urged all officers to note that the protest 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 management.
”We must show, by conduct and command, that the Nigeria Police Force is both professional and humane,” he said.
He further reiterates that ”this is more than a directive; it is a call to institutional responsibility, a test of our maturity, our values, and our discipline.”
Meanwhile, in a statement signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer for the IGP, the IGP spoke to the ongoing conversations surrounding the peaceful protest and police pensions, and suggested that conclusions from the conversation have been marred by misinformation, emotional manipulation, and calculated distortions designed to discredit the Government and undermine the present leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
The seemingly angered IGP expressed his frustration while condemning how certain actors have chosen to politicise a sensitive welfare issue, weaponizing the legitimate grievances of retired colleagues for ulterior motives.
”Their intent is not reform, but disruption. Their tactics involve twisting facts, inflaming sentiments, and sowing distrust in the public space. These actions do a disservice not only to our noble institution, but to the integrity of public discourse in our country. 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,” the IGP said.
The IGP explained and highlighted efforts made so far to improve police pensions, particularly the call for exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), amid agitation, while noting that issued is not a recent development. It has spanned over a decade.
According to the IGP; 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.
Moreover, expert projections indicate that as the scheme matures, its benefits are expected to significantly improve. Officers retiring within the next five years are projected to receive significantly more favourable pension outcomes than those currently exiting the system.
In practical terms, this means that the longer one remains in the scheme, the less likely they are to experience the same pension challenges. This evolving reality demands a pragmatic review of our approach.
In recognition of these constraints and shifting dynamics, the current Police leadership is pursuing a dual-track strategy of supporting the agitation in principle, while urgently exploring innovative, alternative solutions to address the immediate plight of our retirees.
These include utilising internally generated revenues from police services to provide supplementary pension benefits; and mobilising private sector and corporate support for the establishment of targeted pension enhancement initiatives.
These interventions are already underway and reflect a broader, more holistic strategy to elevate the welfare of our retired personnel, not merely through policy debates, but through tangible results. The Federal government has been sensitized enough and appropriate responses are being awaited
”Let it be stated unequivocally that this explanation is not intended to suppress the planned protest. On the contrary, it reflects a leadership that listens, understands, and engages in good faith,” the Police boss said.
The Inspector-General of Police, according to ACP Adejobi, has interacted extensively with many retired officers over the past year, and several groups have since withdrawn their support for the protest, having appreciated the direction of current efforts.
”However, for those who still choose to proceed, their rights will be protected. The protest is scheduled to take place on Monday, 21st July 2025, primarily within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and any other State Command where prior notification has been duly given,” he reiterated.
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