Retired Police officers under the Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers have held a special prayer session to express gratitude to God and the National Assembly following the passage of the Harmonised Police Exit Bill, which seeks to remove them from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The prayer session, held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Kaduna, was also an appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently assent to the bill so it can become law.
Speaking at the event, the Kaduna State Chairman of the Union, Retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Mannir M. Lawal, described the passage of the bill by both chambers of the National Assembly as a long-awaited relief and a product of divine intervention.
He commended the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for their commitment and determination in addressing the plight of police retirees, noting that officers have remained under the CPS for over fifteen years after retirement, unlike their counterparts in other security agencies.
“We are here to thank God and appreciate the National Assembly for this historic step, and to passionately appeal to Mr President to fast-track his assent to this bill so that our suffering can finally come to an end,” he said.
Retired CSP Lawal expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would sign the bill, citing his track record as Governor of Lagos State, where police welfare received significant attention.
“Mr President has always shown concern for the welfare of police officers. We believe he will do the right thing once the bill reaches his table,” he added.
The Union reiterated that the Contributory Pension Scheme has subjected thousands of retired police officers to hardship, poverty, and avoidable deaths.
According to Lawal, many retirees are unable to meet basic needs such as feeding their families, accessing medical care, or paying school fees for their children, leading to widespread suffering and school dropouts.
He explained that exiting the CPS would allow police retirees to return to the Defined Benefit Scheme, which provides full gratuity based on last salary and a stable monthly pension.
“The problem was never the Defined Benefit Scheme itself, but poor management in the past. A properly managed DBS remains the most reliable pension system for police retirees,” he stated.
The Union also noted that the rising cost of living has worsened the situation for retired officers, resulting in increased neglect and premature deaths among members.
While celebrating the legislative victory, the retirees stressed that the struggle would only be complete once the President assents to the bill.
They appealed for swift action, emphasizing that the bill’s passage into law would mark a major milestone in resolving long-standing welfare challenges faced by retired police officers across the country.
“With all these challenges, we have no option but to once again appeal to Mr President to give urgent assent to this bill and bring lasting relief to police retirees nationwide,” Retired CSP Lawal concluded.
COV: Adamu Yusuf
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