MINNA — Retired policemen in Niger State on Tuesday have joined their colleagues nationwide on a peaceful protest to demand their exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The protesters march from the Police Officers Mess in Minna through the Government House Road to the state police headquarters.
The retired officers presented a letter containing their demands to Deputy Commissioner of Police Shehu Abdullahi for onward transmission to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.
CSP Madu Danbuwa (retd), who spoke on their behalf, said they decided to embark on a peaceful protest after the authorities ignored previous representations made to them.
Danbuwa said many of them had not been able to meet their commitments to their families and other social needs.
“Majority of us had put in no fewer than 35 years to serve the country, we were given only a paltry N1.9 million as gratuity, and we receive a monthly pension of more than N40,000, but our colleagues in other security outfits collect 100 per cent of their monthly salaries after leaving service.”
“We find it difficult to pay electricity and water bills,” he said.
Also, one of the retirees, Hajara Mohammed said many of them died because they could not afford their medical bills.
“Many of us cannot afford our medical bills. We also have aged parents we cannot care for. This is unfair. We want to totally exit the CPS,” she said.
Receiving their demands to DCP Shehu Abdullahi who sympathized with the retirees, said “We are all victims because one day we will retire and join you. “I have received your letter. “I can assure you that we will send it to the IGP before the end of this week.”
Abdullahi apologized to the protesters for the inability of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Kuryas, to personally receive them, because he travelled to Kagara for official engagement.
Abdullahi then commended them for their peaceful conduct and pleaded that they should return to their homes peacefully.
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