The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has warned retired police officers protesting issues with their pension scheme that some elements are attempting to hijack their protest.
This is as he also gave assurances of his readiness to meet with the retirees and fashion out a resolution for their grievances.
This assurance was conveyed through the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, who met with the retirees and informed them that arrangements have been made for the IGP to meet with them at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
A statement released on Monday via the official 𝕏 account of the Police Force, stated that some unscrupulous elements are dissuading the retirees from embracing dialogue and are instead pushing for confrontation and disorder.
It, however, urged the protesters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring that the IGP is ready to listen to their demands with the aim of resolving their grievances.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has expressed his commitment to personally address the retired police officers currently protesting for improved retirement benefits.
“This assurance was conveyed through the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, who met with the retirees and informed them that arrangements have been made for the IGP to meet with them at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“However, the peaceful nature of the protest has come under threat as certain individuals with ulterior motives have attempted to hijack the movement. These elements are dissuading the retirees from embracing dialogue and are instead pushing for confrontation and disorder.
“The Nigeria Police Force urges all genuine stakeholders among the retirees to remain calm, law-abiding, and receptive to the peaceful resolution process already initiated. The IGP remains committed to engaging with them constructively and addressing their legitimate concerns with dignity and respect,” the statement read.
Naijaonpoint recalls that scores of retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme, on Monday, staged a major protest at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, demanding immediate removal from the pension arrangement they described as “exploitative and unjust.”
The aggrieved retirees, many of them elderly ex-officers, arrived at the complex from the National Assembly, where a similar demonstration was held earlier in the day.