Retired Soldiers Suspend Protest, Give FG Friday Deadline for Payment

Retired soldiers who staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja have suspended their action after a meeting with government officials who promised to pay their outstanding entitlements by Friday.

The ex-soldiers had earlier blocked the entrance of the ministry using a canopy and chairs, demanding immediate payment of their unpaid benefits.

This protest comes shortly after police officers in various states also staged demonstrations, calling for an end to the Contributory Pension Scheme, which they described as unfair and insufficient. They urged the government to return to the old pension arrangement.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, one of the protest leaders, a retired sergeant known as Mama G, said they would wait till the end of the week before deciding their next move.

“They promised to pay us by Friday. We’re giving them the benefit of the doubt. If we don’t get alerts, we’ll return in larger numbers,” she warned.

Mama G expressed frustration, saying she received only N3.7 million after serving for 20 years, calling the amount inadequate considering today’s economic situation.