Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Union of Retired Police Officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has appealed to the federal government to remove them from the scheme, saying that, failure to do that, they would besiege the Presidential Villa next week Tuesday with a massive protest.
They said that the federal government should sign into law, the bill seeking to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the CPS.
The appeal was made in a press statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter, retired Chief Superintendent of Police Mannir M. Lawal (Zaria), and retired Assistant Superintendent of Police Danlami Maigamo, following the union’s monthly meeting held on March 18, 2026, at the Police Officers’ Mess in Kaduna.
According to the statement, the planned protest is targeted at drawing attention to the plight of retired officers, many of whom, the union said, are currently living in “abject poverty” and struggling to meet basic needs.
Lawal said that a communication from the Clerk of the National Assembly dated March 16, 2026, indicated that under Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President has 30 days to either assent to or decline the bill.
He explained that the bill was transmitted to the Presidency on February 23, 2026, placing the constitutional deadline for action on March 23, 2026.
The union expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the proposed legislation, which seeks to establish a dedicated Nigeria Police Pension Board and remove police personnel from the CPS.
It stressed that the move is necessary to address long-standing welfare challenges faced by retirees.
The Kaduna chapter also called on its National Coordinator, retired Superintendent of Police Chris Effiong, to mobilise members across the remaining 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory for the planned demonstration.
The retirees cautioned that failure to sign the bill could trigger widespread participation in the protest, adding that they are determined to avoid a repeat of setbacks experienced during the 9th National Assembly.
Highlighting the severity of their situation, the union said many retired officers have been forced to withdraw their children from schools due to financial constraints, while access to healthcare has become increasingly difficult.
The group reiterated its demand for urgent government intervention, citing worsening living conditions, economic hardship, and inadequate welfare support among its members.
