The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday met with protesting retired police officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, assuring them of the Force’s commitment to addressing their pension concerns.
The retirees, under the banner of the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers, had staged a protest demanding the removal of police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), citing poor benefits and post-service hardship.
Addressing the protesters, the IG expressed solidarity with their plight, noting that the issue of inadequate retirement benefits affects not only former officers but also those still in service.
“We all feel concerned,” Egbetokun said. “We empathise with you because we are also going to retire. I have been engaging at the highest level to ensure that something is done to improve the condition of the poor pensioner.”
He revealed that he had just held a meeting with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, where the welfare of retired officers was discussed, further emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.
While Egbetokun reiterated that he is not against the push to exit the CPS, he cautioned against over-reliance on that single demand. “I’m not opposed to your exiting the CPS. If exiting will solve the problem, I will go for it. But if it’s difficult, we must also look at alternative solutions.”
He clarified that the decision to exit the CPS is not within the powers of any individual Inspector-General, citing a decade-long struggle that began in 2014.
“All previous IGs have tried their best to remove the police from the CPS. But it’s a complicated process that involves more than just one office,” he said.
Egbetokun further urged retirees not to fall prey to manipulation by external forces, warning: “Don’t allow the enemies of the police to use you. Be suspicious of those who pretend to be on your side.”
He concluded by emphasizing ongoing efforts to improve the CPS itself, noting that reforms within the system could still lead to better outcomes for retirees.
