Retired military personnel in Abuja were prevented from staging a planned protest at the Ministry of Defence headquarters on Wednesday as armed security operatives moved to stop the ex-servicemen from gathering at the venue.
The retirees had converged to demand the implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions following salary increases approved for serving military personnel. They argued that excluding retired personnel from corresponding pay reviews amounted to unfair treatment of those who had served the country.
The situation reportedly became tense as armed police officers and soldiers, some dressed in camouflage, surrounded the area and prevented the retirees from assembling in front of the Defence Ministry.
Videos and photographs from the scene showed a standoff between the retired personnel and security operatives as the ex-servicemen insisted on their right to protest and press their demands.
One of the protesting retirees questioned why they should be intimidated by the presence of armed security personnel, recalling his experience serving on the frontline.
“When I was at the frontline, I was not afraid of guns, so who is scaring me here? We are also fighting for you people,” the ex-serviceman said.
The protesters are demanding that the Federal Government implement the consequential adjustments to their pensions to reflect salary reviews granted to serving military personnel.
The development has renewed concerns among retired members of the armed forces over pension welfare, purchasing power and what they describe as unequal treatment between serving personnel and veterans.
The ex-servicemen maintain that after years of service and sacrifice to Nigeria, they deserve pension adjustments that adequately reflect approved salary increases and current economic realities.
ALSO READ: 2027 Election: Wike Declares Tinubu’s Victory ‘Settled’, Dismisses Opposition Chances
The Abuja protest is therefore expected to keep attention focused on the Federal Government’s handling of military pensions and the welfare of retired personnel who continue to demand that their concerns be addressed.
