By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Akure
Over 30,000 retired police officers have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the Police Exit Bill, warning that they may embark on nationwide peaceful protests if their demands are not met before June 22, 2026.
The appeal was made on Tuesday in Akure, Ondo State, during a press briefing by the National Coordinator of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), CSP Raphael Irowainu (Rtd).
The forum described the proposed legislation as a critical security reform, not merely a welfare demand, insisting that better pension arrangements are key to improving policing efficiency and national security.
The bill, which seeks to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), was passed by the National Assembly in December 2025 and forwarded to the President in March 2026 for assent.
The retirees are demanding presidential approval of the bill, full withdrawal of the police from the CPS, migration to a Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, creation of a Police Pension Board, and payment of all outstanding pension arrears and accrued rights.
While expressing optimism that President Tinubu would approve the legislation, the group warned that failure to act within the stipulated timeframe would trigger renewed nationwide peaceful protests.
“Our position remains unchanged, unwavering and non-negotiable — total exit from PENCOM and restoration of pension justice for retired police officers,” Irowainu said.
He argued that officers’ welfare is directly tied to morale, discipline, and operational effectiveness, noting that insecurity in retirement weakens performance during active service.
“This is not merely a welfare reform; it is a national security investment whose impact will be felt across every community in the country,” he added.
Irowainu maintained that financial security after service encourages integrity in service and improves crime-fighting capacity and intelligence operations.
He further argued that exempting the police from the CPS would align the force with other security agencies such as the Armed Forces, DSS, NIA, and EFCC, which operate separate pension arrangements.
According to him, such parity would strengthen institutional morale, improve cooperation among security agencies, and reinforce national appreciation for policing.
The forum said President Tinubu’s decision on the bill would define his legacy in security sector reform, recalling his past commitment to police welfare as Governor of Lagos State.
It added that approving the bill would “cement his place in history” as a leader who prioritised national security by securing the welfare of the police.
The retirees insisted that the proposed exit from the CPS would enhance professionalism, reduce corruption risks, and rebuild public trust in law enforcement.
They also lamented poor pension conditions, saying many retired officers continue to face severe financial hardship after decades of service to the nation.
