From Protecting Nigeria to Pleading for Their Pension: Retired Military Personnel Blocked During Protest

By Abdullahi yakub ✔

From Protecting Nigeria to Pleading for Their Pension: Retired Military Personnel Blocked During Protest

Tension rose in Abuja on Wednesday after soldiers and police officers prevented protesting retired military personnel from gaining access to the Ministry of Defence over demands for the implementation of outstanding pension adjustments.

The ex-servicemen had gathered to press the Federal Government to apply consequential increases to their pensions following recent salary adjustments approved for serving members of the Armed Forces.

However, their planned protest at the ministry was met by a strong security presence. Armed soldiers and police officers reportedly blocked the retirees from reaching the ministry's premises.

The situation reportedly led to a confrontation between some of the retired personnel and serving security officers as the security operatives attempted to disperse the protesters.

Despite the intervention, the ex-servicemen maintained their position, arguing that retired military personnel should also benefit from pension adjustments linked to salary increases granted to serving members of the Armed Forces.

The security presence eventually prevented the retirees from gathering directly in front of the Ministry of Defence as they had planned.

The incident has further highlighted the dissatisfaction among retired military personnel over their welfare, with the ex-servicemen continuing to demand the implementation of the outstanding pension adjustments.

The protest is the latest in a series of concerns raised by retired military personnel over pension payments, welfare and other benefits they believe are owed to them by the Federal Government.

Source: Naija mirror