You Cannot Intimidate Us – Retired Police Officers Storm Force Headquarters Over Unpaid Gratuities

ABUJA – Retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday, April 13, 2026, stormed the Force Headquarters in Abuja, chanting and singing in protest against the continued delay in the payment of their pensions and gratuities.

NaijaChoice News gathered that the aggrieved retirees, who converged from various parts of the country, marched in solidarity to the headquarters gate, waving placards and singing songs that captured their frustration over poor pension conditions and what they described as deliberate neglect by authorities.

Eyewitnesses at the scene told NaijaChoice News that the pensioners openly confronted a senior police officer who allegedly attempted to threaten one of them during the demonstration. In a viral video that has since circulated widely, one of the retirees fired back: “We are fighting for our rights, and you say you will deal with people? You cannot intimidate us!”

The bold declaration drew loud cheers from the crowd as they continued their chants of “We no go gree, we no go gree, wuru wuru pension we no go gree,” a clear rejection of the current Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) which many described as unfavourable to police retirees.

NaijaChoice News reports that the protest is the latest in a series of agitations by retired police officers who have repeatedly demanded an immediate exit from the CPS, just like their counterparts in the military and other paramilitary agencies. The retirees are also calling for the establishment of a dedicated Police Pension Board and the settlement of all outstanding gratuities and pension arrears running into several months.

This development comes barely seven months after similar protests in 2025 that saw retirees besiege the National Assembly and other federal institutions. Despite repeated promises by the police leadership, including pledges by the Inspector-General of Police to advocate for reforms, the pensioners insist that nothing concrete has been done to ease their suffering.

Many of the retirees, some in their 70s and 80s, told journalists at the protest ground that after decades of meritorious service protecting the nation, they now face hardship, with some unable to afford basic medical care or even feed their families due to irregular and meagre pension payments.

The action has heightened tensions between the retired officers and the current police hierarchy, with the pensioners vowing not to be silenced. NaijaChoice News understands that plans are already underway for a larger protest scheduled for April 20, 2026, as the retirees intensify pressure on the Federal Government.

Stakeholders have warned that the persistent pension crisis, if left unaddressed, could demoralise serving officers and affect the overall morale of the nation’s security architecture.

As the dust settles on yesterday’s dramatic showdown at the Force Headquarters, all eyes are now on the police authorities and the Federal Government for urgent intervention before the situation escalates further.

WATCH VIDEO