NASS Protest: Reps Demand Quick Passage Of Police Pension Bill

The House of Representatives has resolved to engage with the Senate to interface and fast-track the amendment of the Nigerian Police Pension Bill as part of efforts to address the plight of retired police officers protesting at the entrance of the National Assembly over alleged violations of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The directive followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by member representing Oshodi isolo ll Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi at plenary in Abuja

In his lead debate, Onuakalusi said thousands of retired police personnel were suffering economic hardship and indignity under the CPS implemented by the National Pension Commission.

He told lawmakers that the Nigeria Police Force, the nation’s frontline internal security agency, exposes officers to hazardous and life-threatening conditions, yet many receive meagre retirement benefits, delayed payments and irregular monthly stipends after decades of service.

He said the situation has forced scores of retired officers to occupy the National Assembly gate for almost two months, sleeping outdoors to demand a more suitable pension system.

He called the continued neglect of the protesters “a national embarrassment” requiring urgent legislative and executive action.

The Lawmaker expressed concern that the treatment of retirees is undermining the morale of serving officers and could weaken policing and internal security delivery.

Adopting the motion, the House noted that special pension structures already exist for the armed forces, customs service and intelligence agencies, and said establishing a distinct Police Pension Scheme through a dedicated Police Pension Board would ensure prompt benefits and restore dignity and motivation within the force.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji