Retired Military personnel block finance ministry entrance
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Despite efforts by a senior military officer to calm the situation, the veterans refused to leave. They said they would not begin any talks until their demands were met.
Few military personnel on Monday in Abuja blocked the main entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance this saying the protest is an avenue to ask for the payment of their entitled benefits.
The retired military men with some dressed in military uniforms, demanded the immediate payment of their gratuity, Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), and Parking Allowance.
Their protest caused a temporary disruption of activities at the ministry and drew the attention of bystanders and security officers.
One of the protesters, Retired Corporal Umar Faruq, said that the Military Pensions Board (MPB) told them they were not eligible for the new national minimum wage. The reason given was that they left service on July 1, 2024.
Faruq called this excuse “deliberate neglect” by the authorities.
He said, “This is unacceptable. We served the nation for years. Many of us are struggling while the government continues to deny us what we are owed.”
Despite efforts by a senior military officer to calm the situation, the veterans refused to leave. They said they would not begin any talks until their demands were met.
As of now, neither the Ministry of Finance nor the Military Pensions Board has released an official response.
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