IG ensures security for the retired protest for police retirement, warning political piracy

Police Inspector General (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has promised full security support for retired police officers who planned national protests for retirement problems, while warnings against the politicization of their original complaints.

In a statement released on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, IGP condemned the efforts by some people to exploit retirement agitation for selfish or disturbing purposes.

“It is very sad to observe how certain actors have chosen to politicize sensitive welfare problems, arming legitimate complaints from our retired colleagues for hidden motives,” Adejobi said.

“Their goal is not a reform, but a disturbance. Their tactics involve facts that are twisting, inflamed sentiment, and sprinkling distrust in the public sphere. This action is detrimental not only for our noble institutions but also against the integrity of public discourse in our country.”

Peaceful protest, which the organizer was nicknamed “Mother of all peaceful protests,” will take place on Monday, July 21, 2025, in Abuja and in various states.

IGP has directed ** Police Commissioners throughout the country to ensure that officers protect the protesting rights while protecting public order. He also stressed the importance of preventing the piracy of demonstrations by political actors, criminals, or people outside the police community.

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“The Inspector General of the Police has directed all police commissioners to ensure peaceful protest behavior in their jurisdiction, especially in FCT and other countries where formal notifications have been received,” Adejobi said.

“Provide Adequate Security coverage to our retired colleague who has chosen to publicly express their grievances; prevent any hijack of the protest by miscreants, political actors, or non-retroced agitators; Sensitne officers and men under their command on the constitutional rights Peaceful Assembly, and the obligation to show Utmost Respect to Oura Recred Colleague;

IGP also urged all protesters to uphold peace and discipline during the demonstration, adding that the event must set standards for public expression.

“The Inspector General of the Police accused all officers to record that this protest, described as ‘the mother of all peaceful protests’, not only must be peaceful; it must be exemplary,” Adejobi said.

“We must show, with the behavior and command, that the Nigerian police are professional and human. He further confirms that this is more than just direction; it is a call for institutional responsibility, our maturity test, our values, and our discipline.”

Overcoming the root of the protest, a spokesman for troops noted that retirement requests to get out of the contribution pension scheme (CPS) have long been and supported by the leadership of the police and the current police.

“Agitation to increase police retirement, especially call to get out of CPS, is not a new development. This has stretched for a decade,” Adejobi explained.

“Since 2014, the Inspector General of the Police has shown empathy, involving critical stakeholders, and provides institutional support for this purpose. However, despite this serious effort, the desired results are still difficult to understand; not because of lack of will, but because of embedded legal provisions, fiscal boundaries, and administrative obstacles.

Apart from these challenges, Adejobi said that the leadership of the police currently works in innovative ways to support retirees in the short and medium term. This includes increasing the revenue generated internally and looking for private sector collaboration to increase retirement results.

He also shared that when the retirement scheme is mature, retirees in the future are expected to benefit from much better payments, according to expert projections.

IGP reiterates the commitment of troops to the welfare of its retired personnel, promising sustainable advocacy and reform to ensure they receive the dignity and support that they deserve.