Retired police officers in Kwara State have staged a peaceful protest demanding their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Operating under the aegis of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON), the retirees marched through the streets of Ilorin, holding placards with inscriptions such as: “President, NASS and IGP should honourably exempt the police from CPS,” and “If CPS is so good, why did AIGs, DIGs, and IGPs exempt themselves?”
Chairman of ARPON in Kwara, retired Chief Superintendent of Police Yakubu Jimoh, said the scheme has been riddled with problems since inception, leaving many retired officers financially distressed. He called for the establishment of a Police Pension Board, similar to what exists for other security agencies.
Jimoh also urged the National Assembly to release the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services on the bill to establish a Police Pension Board. The public hearing on the bill was held eight months ago, in November 2024.
He further appealed to the federal government and the National Assembly to expedite action on the disbursement of the N758 billion pension arrears owed to security agencies.
Also speaking, the Legal Adviser of ARPON, Barrister Adekunle Iwalaiye, said retired officers deserve a decent, livable pension rather than the meager amounts they currently receive. He emphasized the need for the government to honor their service and urgently address their demands.
Cov/Ali Muhammad Rabi’u
