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July 20, (THEWILL) — The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed all Commissioners of Police across the country to provide adequate security coverage for retired police officers during their planned nationwide protest on Monday, July 21, over pension-related grievances.
The directive was issued amid reports that retired personnel intend to stage a peaceful demonstration in major cities, including the Federal Capital Territory, to press for reforms in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they have long opposed.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force acknowledged the legitimacy of the retirees’ concerns, describing the agitation as genuine and deserving of attention.
However, it also warned against attempts by certain actors to politicise the protest or use it to incite public distrust.
“The Nigeria Police Force has noted the ongoing conversations surrounding the peaceful protest being organised by some of our retired officers in relation to their pension entitlements.
“While some of these accounts are grounded in fact and driven by good faith, others have been marred by misinformation, emotional manipulation, and calculated distortions designed to discredit the Government and undermine the present leadership of the Force,” the statement read.
The Force expressed dismay over what it described as the politicisation of a sensitive welfare issue, warning that such actions only undermine the integrity of public discourse and the dignity of the police institution.
According to the statement, the agitation for police to exit the CPS dates back to 2014, with successive Inspectors-General supporting the demand. However, the Force noted that legal and administrative obstacles have made progress difficult.
It added that exiting the Police from the CPS is beyond the remit of any Inspector-General, as the matter is deeply embedded in statutory frameworks, inter-agency protocols, and broader fiscal policies.
The Force also highlighted projections suggesting that benefits under the CPS are expected to improve significantly as the scheme matures.
Officers retiring in the next five years, it said, will likely receive better pension outcomes than those exiting now.
In the interim, the IGP revealed that the Force is exploring alternative welfare interventions.
These include using internally generated revenue to provide supplementary pension benefits and mobilising private sector support for targeted welfare initiatives.
These measures, according to the statement, are already being implemented and reflect a broader strategy to improve the lives of retired personnel—not just through advocacy, but through tangible results.
The Federal Government has also been engaged and appropriate responses are being awaited.
The Force stressed that the IGP’s support for security during the protest should not be misinterpreted as an attempt to suppress it, but rather as an effort to ensure the safety and dignity of those participating.
For those retirees who still wish to proceed with the protest, their rights will be protected. The protest is scheduled to hold primarily in the FCT and in other state commands where prior notice has been given.
Accordingly, the Inspector-General has mandated Commissioners of Police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the protest in their jurisdictions, particularly in the FCT and in any other state where formal notification was submitted.
They are to provide full security coverage for the protesting retired officers, prevent any hijack of the protest by miscreants or politically motivated elements, and instruct officers to treat all protesting retirees with utmost respect.
Intelligence and operational assets are also to be deployed to safeguard lives, maintain order, and uphold the integrity of the institution.
Describing the planned demonstration as “the mother of all peaceful protests,” the IGP urged officers to ensure it serves as a national model for responsible and dignified expression of grievances.
“This is not just a directive—it is a test of our institutional maturity, discipline, and respect for those who served before us,” the IGP stated.
He also warned serving officers against being misled by individuals attempting to exploit the situation for personal or political gains, urging them to remain committed to the values and ethics of the Force.
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