Breaking: Retired Police Officers Plan Nationwide Protest over Pension Woes, Nigerians React Fiercely Online
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Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage, ridicule, and some support after reports emerged that retired members of the Nigeria Police Force are planning a nationwide protest over unpaid pensions and poor post-service welfare.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that the protest is being organized by former officers—many of whom claim they’ve been left to suffer after years of dedicated service. According to sources within the planning group, retired rank-and-file officers and some junior senior officers are among those pushing for the demonstration, citing years of delayed pension payments, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of post-retirement support.
However, the announcement has stirred a wave of mixed reactions on X (formerly Twitter), where Nigerians didn’t hold back their opinions.
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Social Media Reactions Spark Outrage and Satire
Some users expressed outright mockery of the planned protest, referencing the police’s own history of cracking down on peaceful demonstrations during their service years.
@RealOlaudah tweeted:
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“I hope @PoliceNG tear gases them like they do other peaceful protesters in the country.”
@serlekan wrote:
“So, they were against protest when on active duty. 🤣 Now, they’re retired and plan to protest? Nah! That’s a funny twist.”
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@MascotOgbe added:
“The police in service will crack down on the retired police protest 😄.”
Nigerians Question Moral Ground, Call Out Hypocrisy
While some ridiculed the retirees, others pointed to what they termed hypocrisy, noting that during their active service, many of the now-aggrieved officers violently suppressed civil movements, including EndSARS and labour protests.
@mooregrin_ tweeted:
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“No love or mercy for them abeg. All the bribes and extortion money where’d they put it?”
@Success37271017 sarcastically said:
“They need to use teargas and water on them during the protest, ndi apali 😏.”
@Web3Pst warned:
“We advise the aggrieved parties to back down and endure the pain as normalcy will be returned to.”
Some Voices Defend the Retirees
Amid the criticism, a few users acknowledged the struggles of the retirees and called for empathy.
@OlorogunErnest lamented:
“This is so long overdue. Retired police officers are going through hell. Especially the ones who retired less than an ACP. Even the families of late officers are abandoned to fend for themselves.”
@Abubaka7071 expressed concern:
“After dedicating their lives to protecting this country, na protest retired officers still dey plan just to get their rightful pension? This system no dey respect sacrifice at all.”
Security Agencies on Alert
TJ News Nigeria learnt that security agencies have already begun monitoring the situation closely. A user claiming to be a police supporter, @tyslimmie, tweeted:
“Let @PoliceNG be aware that some hoodlums are planning a protest to cause confusion and breakdown of law and order in the country, this should not be allowed.”
Another user, @uchebakaadi, added:
“Police have insisted permit must be obtained & protesters must restrict their protest to ogogoro joint. Police in a show of force will b out to deal with any unruly protester with Army on standby.”
Context: Police Pensions in Nigeria
Nigeria’s police pension system has long been criticized for being opaque and poorly managed. Many officers who retire below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) are enrolled under the contributory pension scheme, which they claim leaves them with meager monthly stipends.
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In contrast, senior officers are often entitled to more generous benefits under the defined benefit pension scheme. This has created a wide disparity in welfare among retired personnel, contributing to frustration and anger within the ranks.
TJ News Nigeria reports that attempts to reach the Police Pension Board and the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson for official comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
Will the Protest Hold?
It remains unclear if the protest will proceed. Some civil rights activists argue that retired officers have a constitutional right to peaceful protest like every other citizen. However, others maintain that their previous actions in uniform have made it difficult for the public to sympathize with their cause.
For now, the irony of once feared enforcers now seeking sympathy from a public they once opposed has ignited widespread conversation.
TJ News Nigeria will continue to monitor the story and provide updates as events unfold.
📌 Follow @TJNewsNG for more updates on national security and public welfare issues.
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