A group of retired military officers under the umbrella of the Coalition of Military Pensioners staged a protest on Thursday, shutting down the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja. The retirees, drawn from various chapters across the country, expressed their frustration over the Federal Government’s failure to pay their outstanding entitlements.
The protesters decried the non-payment of a 20% to 28% salary increment owed to them from January to November 2024. They also demanded immediate action on other pending benefits, including palliatives and allowances.
Key Demands
The retirees listed their grievances and demands, which include:
Payment of palliatives from October 2023 to November 2024.
Payment of an additional ₦32,000 to their pensions.
Lump-sum payment of the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA).
Refund of deductions made from the pensions of medically boarded soldiers.
One of the protesters lamented, “The government has failed to honor its promises, leaving us to suffer despite our years of service to the nation.”
The protest disrupted activities at the Finance Ministry as the retirees vowed to continue their action until their demands are met.
This demonstration underscores growing dissatisfaction among military pensioners, who feel neglected despite their sacrifices for the country.
