What began as a peaceful demonstration by retired police officers demanding long-overdue pension entitlements took a tense turn today as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, raised alarm over what he described as a coordinated plot to hijack the protest for ulterior motives.
Scores of retired officers peacefully marched through the streets of Abuja earlier today, calling on the Federal Government to address persistent issues of unpaid gratuities, pensions, and post-service welfare. Many of the demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as “We served with honour, treat us with dignity” and “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
However, while addressing press inquiries at Force Headquarters, IGP Egbetokun acknowledged the legitimacy of the protest but warned that intelligence reports revealed that “certain elements unaffiliated with the police service” had infiltrated the march with the intention of inciting unrest and discrediting national security agencies.
“While we recognize and respect the rights of retired officers to express their grievances, our intelligence indicates that some politically motivated actors were planning to exploit the protest to spark chaos,” the IGP stated.
He reassured the public that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to protecting the rights of citizens—including retired personnel—while taking decisive steps to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The IGP’s remarks drew mixed reactions. Civil society organisations and human rights advocates urged the police leadership not to conflate genuine civil protests with security threats, warning that such framing could discourage lawful dissent and further alienate struggling pensioners.
One protest leader, retired ASP John Oladele, dismissed claims of hijack as “a convenient excuse to avoid the real issue.” He said, “No one is hijacking anything. We are just tired. We gave our lives to Nigeria, and now we are left to suffer.”
The protest underscores a growing frustration among retired security operatives who feel abandoned after decades of national service. Calls for comprehensive pension reform and accountability in the police pension administration are growing louder.