The Police Service Commission has criticized the planned protest by retired police officers across the country, describing it as “ill-timed” and “diversionary,” especially as government agencies are already addressing the issues raised by the aggrieved retirees.
In a statement released on Sunday, July 20, 2025, and signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the welfare of both serving and retired officers, while urging the retirees to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation.
“The proposed action comes at a time when there is an almost unanimous agreement on the need to urgently improve the welfare of retired police personnel,” the statement read. “Resorting to protest now is not only unnecessary but could also derail ongoing efforts to resolve the concerns.”
Chairman of the Commission, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, has consistently voiced his disapproval of the unequal pension structure affecting certain categories of retired officers. He has called for the unification and reform of the police pension system, which he believes should be fair and inclusive.
“DIG Argungu has remained vocal on the need for a democratised and streamlined police pension system,” the statement noted. “He has made several interventions to bring this issue to the forefront.”
The Commission stressed that it believes relevant government bodies are already addressing the disparities in pension arrangements, and that constructive dialogue is the preferred path forward.
“We strongly advise the retired officers to reconsider the protest and return to the discussion table,” the PSC urged. “This is a critical period in our nation’s democratic process, and distractions such as this are not in the best interest of the country.”
Reiterating its stance, the Commission assured that it “will not relent in its pursuit of better welfare packages for police personnel, regardless of rank or retirement status.”
The PSC appealed to the leaders of the planned protest to shelve the idea in the interest of national peace and stability, affirming its dedication to working with all stakeholders to ensure justice and fairness for every police officer.
