Retired Nigerian soldiers who staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja have suspended their demonstration. The action was called off following a meeting with ministry officials who gave assurances that the soldiers’ outstanding entitlements would be paid by Friday.
The protesters had set up a canopy and chairs at the ministry’s entrance to draw attention to their demand for unpaid benefits. This protest comes on the heels of similar demonstrations by serving police officers who are seeking to be exempted from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
One retired soldier expressed deep frustration with the system, highlighting the inadequacy of their pensions. “After 20 years wasting my youthful age, they paid me N3.7m. I don’t know what I will use that kind of money for in this country at this time,” she lamented.
Retired Corporal Moses Eze confirmed the protest had been suspended, stating that their action was a peaceful effort to demand their “legitimate entitlements” and avoid resorting to “desperate measures.” He revealed that over 700 personnel from the first to fourth quarters have been patiently waiting for their payments for over a year. The officials’ promise of payment by Friday, or Monday at the latest, was enough to prompt the suspension of the protest.
