Imo Police Retirees Storm Command Headquarters, Demand Exit from Contributory Pension Scheme

Retired police officers under the aegis of the Association of Retired Police Officers, Imo State Chapter, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest in Owerri, calling for their complete withdrawal from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, converged on the Imo State Police Command Headquarters, where they were received by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma.

Speaking during the demonstration, the association’s chairman, Retired Superintendent of Police (SP) Amanze Nwakwue, described the CPS as “deadly and obnoxious,” alleging that it had led to the deaths of several retirees due to financial hardship.

Nwakwue demanded the creation of a Police Pension Board similar to that of the military, to manage the welfare and entitlements of retired police officers. He also called for the payment of a debarment allowance in line with what is given to military retirees.

He questioned the fairness of the existing arrangement where senior police officers — AIGs, DIGs, and IGPs — are exempted from the CPS, while officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police downward remain under it.

> “If the CPS is truly beneficial, why have the police generals opted out, leaving those below to suffer under it?” he queried.
“We demand total exit from this oppressive scheme and the immediate scrapping of the NPF Pension Limited, which is not even registered as a business entity,” he added.



The chairman further urged President Bola Tinubu to sign an executive order approving their total exit from the scheme, just as was done for the military, DSS, NIA, and National Assembly staff.

He also appealed for the ₦758.9 billion pension liability bond to be paid directly into the accounts of retirees, rather than through Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

In response, CP Danjuma commended the retirees for their peaceful conduct and assured them that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, was already looking into their grievances. He described the retirees as “our fathers and teachers” and promised to deliver their protest letter to the IGP.

Some of the protesters’ placards read:

“Retired police officers under the CPS are dying in droves; exit is our stand.”

“President Bola Tinubu, please come to the aid of police retirees.”

“We reject the evil, killer, and obnoxious contributory pension scheme.”