Retired military personnel on Thursday staged a protest that disrupted activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja over their long-unpaid entitlements.
The retirees, who have been waiting for payments for months, accused the Federal Government of failing to pay them the 20% to 28% salary increment due from January to November 2024.
In addition to the salary increment, the retirees presented several other demands, including unpaid palliatives from October 2023 to November 2024, an increase of N32,000 to their pensions, bulk payments of the Security Debarment Allowance, and a refund of deductions made from the pensions of soldiers who were medically boarded.
Many of the protesters brought sleeping mats, chairs, and canopies, indicating their intention to stay until their demands were addressed.
One of the leaders of the protest, Col. Innocent Azubuike (retd.), expressed frustration over the situation, lamenting the hardship caused by the unpaid entitlements.
“We were told approval has been secured for the payment of our entitlements. The only thing remaining is cash backing,” Azubuike said.
“We were told to exercise patience and assured that our long-unpaid entitlements would be settled in November. November is gone, and there is no indication of when this will happen because it’s a matter with the FMoF and not the Ministry of Defence.”
The retirees' protest highlights ongoing issues with military pension payments, which have remained a significant concern for many retired personnel. Despite multiple assurances, the retirees remain in limbo, with no clear timeline for when their entitlements will be paid.
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