Katsina retired police officers set for Abuja contributory pension protest

Katsina: Retired Police Officers in Katsina have finalised plans to support members joining a nationwide protest scheduled for April 20 in Abuja over the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The retirees, under the Association of Retired Police Officers, announced this in a statement issued in Katsina on Sunday by the spokesperson, Shehu Suleiman.

According to him, the decision was part of their resolutions at a general meeting held on Saturday under the leadership of its Chairman, DSP Kabir Bawa (rtd).

He explained that during the meeting, members deliberated on challenges facing retired officers across the country, especially under the police pension scheme.

According to Suleiman, the protest, described by organisers as a “do or die” action, is aimed at urging President Bola Tinubu to assent to a bill already passed by the Senate, which seeks to address the pension issues affecting them.

The spokesperson of the association noted that the delay in presidential approval has continued to worsen the living conditions of their members.

“Central to the demands is the call for police retirees to be removed from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and aligned with other security agencies such as the military and intelligence services, which are not under the scheme,” he said.

“We are concerned over a recent policy by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) permitting serving police officers to withdraw up to 25 per cent of their pension contributions.

“The retirees argued that the move could weaken the ongoing campaign to exit the CPS,” he said.

He said they resolved to embark on a sensitisation campaign to educate serving officers on the potential long-term implications of the policy and discourage participation.

The association called on its members to remain united and committed in pursuing what it described as a just cause for improved welfare and equity.