The Bauchi State chapter of the Retired Police Officers Association of Nigeria, REPON, has revealed that over 500 of its members have died while fighting for their retirement benefits since 2012.
According to the secretary of the chapter, retired John Iliya, a proposed bill seeking the establishment of a police pension board was first submitted to the National Assembly that year.
At a press conference in Bauchi, Iliya expressed frustration, stating, “We can no longer tolerate these empty promises.”
Iliya recalled a protest held on May 21, 2024, at the National Assembly gate, where Senator Ahmed Madori and colleagues assured that their demands would be addressed by September 2024.
However, as of October 2, 2024, he said there has been no mention of the retired officers’ plight.
REPON demands the removal of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, allowing police retirees to manage their pensions independently through a Police Pension Board.
Iliya criticized lawmakers for prioritizing the bill extending the Inspector General of Police’s tenure without public hearings, while neglecting the police retirees’ proposal.
Iliya warned that if their demands remain unmet, REPON will stage another protest at the National Assembly.
He urged the National Assembly’s Committee on Police Affairs to expedite the passage of the bill to avoid further protests.
He emphasized that the association can no longer tolerate delays and empty promises.
