Retired Police Officers Block Aso Rock Gate, Demand Tinubu’s Assent to Police Exit Bill

Retired Police Officers Block Aso Rock Gate, Demand Tinubu’s Assent to Police Exit Bill

Tension briefly disrupted movement at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday as retired police officers staged a protest at one of the main entrances of Aso Rock, demanding urgent action from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the long-awaited Police Exit Bill.

The protest, which began early in the day, saw elderly retired officers and some family members blocking access to the gate, causing temporary disruption of movement around the Presidential Villa. Security operatives were immediately deployed to the area to restore order and prevent escalation.

The demonstration was organised under the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, a group advocating improved welfare and pension reforms for former officers of the Nigeria Police Force. The retirees said their action was driven by years of frustration over what they described as an unfair pension structure.

At the centre of their demands is the Police Exit Bill, a proposed legislation seeking to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme. The bill, according to reports, was passed by the National Assembly in December 2025 and transmitted to the Presidency in March 2026, but is yet to receive presidential assent.

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Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Police dey work, PenCom dey chop” and “Tinubu, sign our bill now,” the protesters chanted solidarity songs while calling for immediate intervention. They insisted that only direct action from the President would address their long-standing grievances.

Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were stationed around the Villa and blocked further advancement of the protesters. Despite repeated appeals, the retirees refused to disperse, maintaining their position at the gate.

One of the protesters expressed deep frustration over their post-retirement conditions, alleging that many former officers now struggle financially after decades of service. He claimed that some retirees receive insufficient monthly pensions that cannot meet basic living expenses.

Another protester insisted that the group would not leave until they were addressed directly by the President, emphasizing that their demands were non-negotiable.

The retirees also criticised the National Pension Commission (PenCom), arguing that the current contributory pension structure does not reflect the risks associated with police service. They maintained that the system has pushed many retired officers into economic hardship.

As of the time of filing this report, the protest continued peacefully but firmly, with security personnel maintaining a strong presence around the Presidential Villa. There was no official response yet from the Presidency regarding the protest or the status of the bill.

The incident adds to ongoing national conversations about pension reform in Nigeria, especially within the security sector, where retired personnel have continued to demand improved welfare and better post-service benefits.

Retired Police Officers Block Aso Rock Gate, Demand Tinubu’s Assent to Police Exit Bill