The Edo State chapter of the National Association of Retired Police Officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has issued a passionate appeal to the Federal Government, urging an immediate removal of retired officers from the scheme. The group described the scheme as “a killer policy” that has plunged them into abject poverty and neglect.
Speaking at a press briefing in Benin City on Monday, State Chairman, SP Anthony Nnachor (Rtd), said many retired police personnel who dedicated over three decades of their lives to serving the nation are now unable to feed, access medical care, or meet basic family responsibilities due to the meagre and inconsistent pensions they receive under the current system.
“We are here to let the world know the hardship we are enduring. Many of us seated here served meritoriously for 35 years. But today, we can no longer feed or take care of ourselves. Some of our colleagues are dying daily because they can’t afford treatment,” Nnachor said.
He explained that the Contributory Pension Scheme, introduced by the Police Reform Act in 2004, mandates officers to contribute 7% of their salaries, while the federal government contributes 8%, supposedly to guarantee a stable retirement. However, he lamented that the scheme has failed its core purpose.
“Imagine working all your life only to receive a paltry N25,000, N30,000 or N40,000 monthly. Even some retired Commissioners of Police are being paid peanuts after serving Nigeria for decades,” he added.
According to him, the scheme calculates only 25% of retirees’ lump sum, leaving them with an unsustainable monthly stipend for the remainder of their lives.
Nnachor described the situation as dire, adding that their calls for review since 2019 have yielded no meaningful change. He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and facilitate their transition to the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), similar to the arrangement currently enjoyed by the military.
Also speaking at the briefing, the association’s Publicity Secretary, SP Johnson Oyameda (Rtd), called for the total abolition of the Nigeria Police Force Contributory Pension Scheme, alleging that the scheme is fraudulent, exploitative, and unsustainable.
“We appeal to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to write his name in gold by standing with us in this fight. Help us return to the Defined Benefit Scheme like our colleagues in the armed forces,” Oyameda pleaded.
He further urged the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of a long-pending bill that would officially remove police retirees from the scheme, lamenting the legislature’s failure to act despite several public hearings.
“We are not asking for favours. We are simply asking for what is just and humane. We served our country with our blood and sweat. We deserve to retire with dignity, not misery,” he concluded.
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