Egbetokun gives order to CPs as police retirees storm streets in protest over welfare

By Monday Ijeh

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered Commissioners of Police (CPs) to deploy intelligence and operational resources to protect lives and maintain public order as retired police officers are expected to take to the streets in protests over their welfare today.

The protests followed complaints of paltry gratuity and monthly pension payments by retired police officers.

Retired police officers and some civil society organisations, CSOs are expected to take to the streets in Abuja, Lagos and some other major cities of the country.

In reaction, Egbetokun urged senior police officers to safeguard institutional integrity of the law enforcement agency by ensuring that the protests are not hijacked by hoodlums in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Sunday in Abuja.

He urged the senior police officer to ensure peaceful conduct during the protest by retired police officers over welfare.

He said the order applies to Police Commands in states where formal notices for protest had been received.

The I-G had directed the CPs to provide adequate security coverage to the protesters who had chosen to publicly express their grievances.

The police boss urged the CPs to prevent any hijacking of the protest by miscreants, political actors, or non-retired agitators.

He enjoined the CPs to sensitise officers and men under their command on the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, and the obligation to show utmost respect to the retired officers.

The I-G urged police officers to note that the protest, described as “the mother of all peaceful protests”, must not only be peaceful, but it must also be exemplary.

He said the protest must be allowed to stand as a national model for dignified expression of grievance and responsible public order management.

“We must show, by conduct and command, that the Nigeria Police Force is both professional and humane, ” he said.

Meanwhile, Police Service Commission (PSC) has described the planned nationwide protest over police retirees’ welfare as ill-timed and diversionary.

According to the Commission, issues raised by the retirees were already receiving attention from relevant authorities.

Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations at the PSC, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the planned protest, in spite of consensus on the need to improve retired officers’ conditions, was unnecessary and could distract ongoing efforts.

Ani noted that the PSC Chairman, Mr Hashimu Argungu, had repeatedly condemned the poor and discriminatory pension scheme for certain retired officers.

He said the PSC Chairman had called for a harmonised pension system and continued pushing for reforms to enhance retirees’ welfare.

According to Ani, several government agencies were already reviewing the disparities in the police pension scheme to find lasting solutions.

The PSC urged affected retirees to embrace dialogue and sustained engagement instead of protest or confrontation.

Ani reaffirmed the PSC’s unwavering commitment to improved welfare for all police personnel, both serving and retired.

He advised the organisers of the planned protest to reconsider their approach and return to the negotiation table for peace.

(NAN)