Tension escalated in Abuja on Monday as retired police officers, joined by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, took to the streets in a large-scale protest demanding immediate reform of the police pension scheme and improved welfare for security personnel. The protest, described by organizers as the “mother of all peaceful protests,” drew participants from across Nigeria and quickly became the focal point of national attention.
The retired officers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers, are calling for their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme, which they argue is discriminatory and unjust. According to the union, years of appeals and dialogue with the federal government have yielded no results, pushing them to mobilize for a demonstration at both the National Assembly and the Force Headquarters.
The union’s national chairman, Mannir M. Lawal, confirmed that retired officers from all 36 states of the federation had converged on the capital city. He stressed that their primary demand is a complete withdrawal from the current pension framework and a refund of their savings, citing the government’s continued indifference to their plight. Lawal clarified that the protest was independently organized by the union and not influenced by any political group, distancing the retirees from suggestions that the demonstration was aimed at discrediting the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. He noted that Sowore’s own involvement was only noticed via social media on the day of the protest.
Meanwhile, Omoyele Sowore reaffirmed his commitment to the cause, insisting that the protest would proceed despite efforts by the police and related agencies to suppress it. In a post shared across his social media platforms, Sowore accused the Bola Tinubu-led government and the Nigeria Police Force of mistreating their personnel during active service and abandoning them in retirement. He described the administration’s approach as deeply disrespectful, highlighting what he called systemic injustice and a lack of accountability. “You denied them fair wages in service and dignity in retirement. Now you’re scrambling to manage the fallout—issuing press statements, locking officers in barracks, and hiring spin doctors,” he wrote.
The Nigeria Police Force, in response to the mounting protests, released an official statement condemning what it described as a political hijacking of a legitimate welfare issue. Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, accused certain unnamed individuals of attempting to weaponize the grievances of retired officers for their own disruptive ends. He argued that these actors were spreading misinformation, stoking public anger, and undermining national unity, stating firmly that their interest lay not in reform, but in provocation. Despite this, the Inspector General of Police has directed Commissioners of Police across the country to ensure that the demonstrators are protected and not harmed during the protest.
Adding to the tension, a leaked internal police memo dated July 20, 2025 was obtained, ordering all officers within the Federal Capital Territory to remain within their barracks until further notice. The memo, signed by Supol Asokoro, emphasized immediate compliance, raising concerns about the administration’s internal response to the protest.
In a related development, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has appealed to the protesting retirees to reconsider their stance and return to the negotiation table. The PCRC warned that continued demonstrations could be seen as an attempt to undermine the image of the Inspector General and disrupt ongoing dialogue.
As protests continue to unfold, the outcry reflects growing dissatisfaction with the state of police welfare in Nigeria, both among serving officers and retirees. The current unrest may signal a critical turning point in the push for long-overdue reforms in the nation’s security institutions.