‘Your Protest Is Ill-Timed’—PSC Tells Retired Police Officers

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Sunday urged retired police officers nationwide to cancel their planned protest.

It described the planned protest as “diversionary and ill-timed,” noting that relevant government agencies are already addressing the raised concerns.

PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd.), through the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, acknowledged the retirees’ grievances but warned that protesting would hinder ongoing implementation processes.

The retired officers had lamented their post-service conditions.

A recent complaint came from a retired superintendent of police who decried receiving only N3m after completing 35 years of active service.

His plea prompted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to order a thorough investigation into pension and entitlement irregularities within the Force.

Reiterating the IGP’s directive, Argungu said, “The ill-advised plan by retired Police Officers across the nation to embark on a planned protest over issues that are already receiving the attention of relevant Government Agencies.

“The PSC has at several fora condemned the poor and discriminatory pension scheme for some categories of retired Officers and has called for a streamlined Police pension scheme.

“It wishes to advise the drivers of this intended planned protest to review its intentions and return to the negotiating table in the interest of the existing peace in the country.

“The Commission is of the strong belief that the nation can not afford this distraction at this time of our democratic journey.

“The Commission believes that relevant Government Agencies are currently looking into the obvious disparity to bridge the gap.

“It advises that the affected Officers should consider the path of dialogue and continuous engagement rather than confrontation.”

The Commission maintained that the planned protest, coming at a time when there is widespread acknowledgement that the condition of some retired police officers requires urgent attention, remains both untimely and inappropriate.

The PSC assured of its commitment to ensuring improved welfare for all police officers whether they are serving, retired, senior, or junior officers.