The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating welfare of retired police officers, particularly those under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), warning that the situation is affecting the morale of serving personnel across ranks.
Speaking during a strategic meeting with senior police officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, held Tuesday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP said retirement is increasingly viewed within the police force as a period of suffering rather than rest, owing to the “heartbreaking and morally unacceptable” conditions faced by retirees.
“This has turned retirement into a period of hardship and regret, eroding the confidence of serving officers, who now see their own future with fear rather than hope,” Egbetokun lamented.
The meeting came in the wake of nationwide protests by hundreds of retired police officers who recently took to the streets demanding their removal from the CPS, citing meagre pension payouts and worsening living conditions.
Egbetokun noted that the widespread fear among serving officers is rooted in the belief—“rightly or wrongly”—that exiting service means entering poverty.
“Among serving officers, there exists a growing and deep-rooted anxiety, born from the belief that retirement is a descent into hardship. This fear has become so pervasive that it is having a noticeable demoralising effect on morale,” he said.
He admitted that efforts by the police leadership to educate officers on the CPS have been misinterpreted as attempts to justify continued participation in a flawed system.
“One area I remain deeply committed to is the welfare of our retired officers under the Contributory Pensions Scheme. Their post-service condition is heartbreaking. Today, most retired officers of the Nigerian Police Force live in conditions that are not only unacceptable but humiliating,” he said.
According to him, monthly pensions under the scheme are “maximally low and roughly inadequate,” making it difficult for retirees to access healthcare, secure housing, or live in dignity.
Egbetokun revealed that the police have initiated efforts to improve the welfare of retired officers and presented their position to the National Assembly during a public hearing on a proposed bill seeking to exempt the Nigeria Police Force from the CPS.
He assured that the Force would continue to advocate for an improved pension system that reflects the sacrifices and risks undertaken by officers during active service.
Leave a Comment