WELFARE: Serving officers block retired colleagues from protesting at Defence Ministry

Armed police officers and soldiers on Wednesday blocked retired military personnel from converging in front of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, where the ex-servicemen had planned to protest over the non-implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions.

The retirees had attempted to move towards the ministry as part of their planned demonstration, but additional security personnel were deployed to prevent them from assembling at the location. An earlier confrontation reportedly occurred between serving soldiers and the retired personnel as security operatives tried to stop the protest.

The ex-servicemen are demanding pension adjustments linked to salary increases approved for serving military personnel. They argue that the corresponding adjustments to their pensions have not been implemented despite previous assurances.

The protest followed a planned demonstration announced by retired military officers, who said they were seeking what they described as their constitutional pension rights. They also raised concerns that another salary increase for serving military personnel announced in August could again exclude pensioners.