Retired police officers from across the country today, Tuesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory.
The according to Krestnews source are protesting a number of issues bordering their welfare packages on retired which they say is very poor compared to other arms of the country’s security circle and Armed forces.
A retired Police, Mr Alaga who spoke to Krestnews disclosed they are protesting demanding removal from the Pencom pension scheme which they accused of short changing in the payment of their monthly pension.
According to hIm, a retired Police Commissioner is paid as before low as less than seventy thousand Naira (N70,000) while a retired colonel from the Army takes home on retirement nothing less than N250,000
They are also demanding a restoration and returned to the police pension board which according to them will serve them better.
During the protest, the retired officers were seen carrying placards with various inscription calling for the abrogation of Pencom and exiting from the contributory Pension scheme as payment of their gratuity.
Answering questions from Journalists, a retired Police Commissioner, Christopher Effiong, said they are protesting to the National Assembly to exit them from the contributory Pension scheme along side the other formation as Air force, Navy and the Armed who have since been exempted from the scheme.
They are also demanding the harmonisation of the police pension bill which initiated by some erstwhile members of the National Assembly which action was yet to be concluded.
He said under the current scheme, the police are grossly short-changed in terms of payment of gratuity as it doesn’t reflect what they should be paid.
He said under the police service, they were entitled to the payment of gratuity and Pension but that somehow a new low was introduced midway allowing for contributory Pension and payment of lumpsome amount.
He said system falls far short of expectations and so the need to return them to the payment of pension and gratuity which he said was 300 %of their annual salary and another 80% of their monthly payment.
He appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on the harmonisation of the police pension bill to enable them enjoy their entitlements as other personnel that have served the country, saying what obtains now falls far short of expectations as they are unable to meet family expectations.
Meanwhile reports reaching Krestnews indicates that representatives of the aggrieved protesting police officers were attended to by the Senate committee on Police Affairs.
During the meeting, Krestnews reliably gathered that they police were assured by the Senate committee that the Bill on the police pension board will be passed in.septembber this year 2024 exiting them from Pencom.
They are to aso enjoy their full salaries as pension on retirement and in addition to the payment of gratuity.