Retired Police Officers Storm National Assembly, Lament Neglect After 35 Years of Service

Retired police officers on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, decrying alleged neglect and hardship despite serving the nation for over three decades.

The visibly aggrieved retirees, some carrying placards and others in tattered uniforms, said many of them now live like “beggars” years after dedicating their lives to securing the country.

“We have turned beggars after 35 years of service,” one of the protesters lamented, accusing the government of failing to pay accrued pension arrears, gratuities and other entitlements owed to them.

The retired officers, who came under the umbrella of the Concerned Police Pensioners, demanded immediate intervention from lawmakers and urged the Federal Government to address the disparity between the contributory pension scheme and the legacy system under which they served.

According to them, many colleagues have died waiting for their benefits, while others suffer from untreated health conditions due to lack of financial support.

Senate and House security personnel engaged with the protesters and assured them that their grievances would be forwarded to the relevant committees for urgent consideration.

The demonstration highlights renewed calls for a comprehensive review of the police welfare system — both for active personnel and retirees, as stakeholders continue to argue that improved welfare is essential for effective policing and national security.