Protesters shut down Police Headquarters over unpaid pension

Activities were temporarily grounded at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday as a group of retired police officers and civil rights activists, led by Omoyele Sowore, staged a dramatic protest demanding justice over poor pension conditions and the immediate return of Sowore’s eyeglasses allegedly seized by the police.

Defying heavy rainfall, the protesters resisted efforts by top officers to move the demonstration indoors, insisting that Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police must personally address their concerns.

The demonstrators, made up mostly of retired police personnel and civil rights activists, demanded the immediate attention of the IGP, insisting that only a direct address from him would be acceptable.

Despite interventions from top police officers, including an appeal for the protesters to attend a conference at the Force’s peacekeeping hall, the demonstrators stood their ground, chanting: “All we are saying is give us our eyeglass. Police deh steal?”

The reference to an eyeglass sparked outrage among the crowd after it was alleged that during a scuffle, police officers forcefully removed Sowore’s glasses, an act many protesters condemned as petty and symbolic of the wider mistreatment of officers and citizens alike.

“I wouldn’t mind being locked up in their cell just to get back that eyeglass,” one protester shouted, eliciting cheers from the gathered crowd.

Protesters have vowed to return on August 1st if the eyeglasses are not returned and their demands remain unmet.

“Sir, with due respect, go to a beer parlour or a market and you’ll find retired corporals begging. One of them told me, ‘They are selling their men.’ I was ashamed”, one elderly protester said.

He continued: “We once controlled divisions, managed states, maintained law and order. Now, we are reduced to beggars. The serving officers should listen — this is their future if nothing changes. It’s a time bomb.”

Another retired officer said some colleagues who rose to the rank of Commissioner of Police now live in penury, while officials managing police pensions enjoy lavish lifestyles.

Police pension has become a criminal enterprise. We were told the police cannot manage their own pension. Why? When we have senior officers capable of managing divisions and entire commands?” another speaker declared.

Multiple attempts by serving officers to persuade the protesters to move into the conference room were rebuffed.

A particular sore point for the protesters was the suggestion to use the peacekeeping hall for dialogue.

“That hall is meant for officers going on foreign missions. We’re not here for that. We are here for justice”, Sowore said.

Another protester added, “If we were collecting ₦500,000 per month, we won’t be here. Meanwhile, the children of the pension administrators earn millions monthly while we die in silence.”