The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has assured that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force is working towards ensuring improved welfare for retired officers.
The IGP made this assurance while speaking at a meeting with some of the retired officers who were protesting their poor pension, living conditions and other entitlements.
The protesting retirees also accused the police leadership of working against their welfare despite being their former colleagues.
However, debunking the claim, Egbetokun noted that the Police Force under his leadership is committed to improving the welfare of every retiree under the contributory pension scheme (CPS).
Expressing empathy over their plight, the IGP said the inadequate retirement benefits have also remained a thing of concern to serving officers, especially those nearing their retirement.
“We all feel concerned. We empathise with you because we are also going to retire. I have been engaging at the highest level to ensure that something is done to improve the condition of the poor pensioner,” Egbetokun said.
He also noted that he had a meeting with Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser on the matter.
According to the IGP, the welfare of retired police officers was a major topic of discussion at the meeting with the NSA.
“Even right now, I was just coming from a meeting with the NSA. The subject matter is the poor pension of retired officers. There are things that we need to make to ensure that your suffering in retirement is alleviated.
“But I just want to assure you that we empathise with you, and we are not just folding our arms. We are doing a lot to ensure that something is done,” he said.
In addition, the IGP cautioned the retirees to desist from allowing themselves to be used by the enemies of the police to attack the force.
He warned, “Don’t allow the enemies of the police to use you. Be suspicious of those who pretend to be on your side. They may not mean well for you.”