The National Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (NARPON) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently address the challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with regard to the new pension scheme and salary structure for serving and retired officers.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, a eetired Assistant Inspector-General of Police and President of NARPON, Paul Ochonu, expressed deep concern over the growing agitation and planned peaceful protests by retired police officers, who feel sidelined by the government’s failure to address long-standing injustices.
“The central issue is the imposition of the Contributory Pension Scheme on the Nigeria Police Force, while the Armed Forces, DSS, and NIA have been exempted. This disparity is unfair and unacceptable,” he said.
He decried the poor funding of the NPF, meagre salaries for serving officers, and the unsustainable pension payments for retirees after decades of service. “How do we justify rewarding someone who risks their life daily with a pension of N60,000 or N75,000 after 35 years of service?” he asked.
Ochonu emphasised that successive governments have consistently failed to give the NPF its rightful place in the public service hierarchy.
“We are confident that Mr. President, under his Renewed Hope Agenda, will implement a pension scheme that reflects national appreciation for the service and sacrifices of police officers.”
He also called on the federal government to urgently enhance the salary structure for serving NPF personnel, noting the link between poor wages and the low amounts being contributed to the Retirement Savings Account (RSA).
“Since 2007, officers have been contributing to their pension under the CPS. But because of low salaries, their retirement savings are extremely poor, leading to low monthly pension payments after retirement. Some are paid as little as N60,0000N75,000 monthly,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police and General Secretary of NARPON Comrade Sunday F. Chukwurah acknowledged that the federal government may be making efforts, including a bill reportedly sent to the National Assembly to address arrears and other pension-related issues. However, he emphasised that these reforms must be expedited.
“For example, as a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, I receive N129,000 monthly. Recently, N32,000 was added as arrears, bringing it to about N161,000. Commissioners of Police receive only slightly more. Even those on the Defined Benefits Scheme are struggling,” he said.
On the matter of exiting the CPS, Ochonu said, “We have no authority to influence that decision. It is up to the federal government to amend the Pension Reform Act through the National Assembly.”
He added, “The Inspector-General of Police is aware of our concerns and has made proposals to the government. We know steps are being taken, and we urge patience.”
“The silence is fueling unrest. The government must speak up and reassure retirees and serving officers alike. Let the public know what is being done. We urge restraint, not protest.”
