The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed all Commissioners of Police across the country and in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure maximum security during the planned peaceful protest by retired police officers scheduled for Monday.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement, the IGP emphasized that the rights of retired officers to peacefully express their grievances must be respected and protected.
“The IGP has ordered that the rights of our retired officers who have chosen to protest must be protected, and the protest should serve as a model of dignified expression of grievance,” Adejobi stated.
He also cautioned against the spread of misinformation surrounding the protest, noting that some individuals were attempting to manipulate the situation to discredit the Federal Government and undermine the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
Adejobi clarified that the demand by retired officers to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) was not a new issue, as previous IGPs had expressed support for their cause. However, he said efforts to address the matter had been hampered by statutory and inter-agency challenges as well as fiscal constraints.
“It is disheartening to observe how certain actors have chosen to politicise a sensitive welfare issue, weaponising the legitimate grievances of our retired colleagues for ulterior motives,” he added.
The IGP instructed all police commissioners to guarantee a peaceful and well-coordinated protest across their jurisdictions, particularly in areas where formal notifications have been submitted. He emphasized the need to protect the protest from being hijacked by miscreants, political actors, or individuals not connected to the police force.
Egbetokun further urged CPs to treat protesting retirees with the utmost respect and to deploy adequate intelligence and operational resources to maintain public order, safeguard lives and property, and uphold the integrity of the police institution.
Meanwhile, the police spokesperson appealed to the protesting retirees to ensure that their demonstrations remain peaceful and orderly.
