Armed soldiers and police officers on Wednesday blocked retired military personnel from converging in front of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, where the ex-servicemen had gathered to protest the non-implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions.
The retirees had mobilised to the ministry as part of their campaign for the implementation of pension increases arising from salary adjustments approved for serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
However, their planned demonstration was disrupted after heavily armed security personnel were deployed to prevent them from assembling at the front of the ministry.
MILITARY PENSIONER PROTEST
The ex-servicemen had attempted to move towards the premises of the ministry to stage their protest, but security operatives moved in and blocked their access to the area.
The development reportedly led to an earlier confrontation between serving soldiers deployed to the ministry and the retired military personnel.
The serving personnel had moved against the retirees as they attempted to assemble at the ministry, resulting in a tense face-off between the two groups of military personnel.
Following the confrontation, additional armed police officers and soldiers were mobilised to the area to prevent the retirees from regrouping or converging at the front of the Ministry of Defence.
The heavy security presence effectively stopped the ex-servicemen from carrying out their planned demonstration at the location.
The retirees are demanding that the Federal Government implement the consequential pension adjustments that should arise from salary increases approved for serving military personnel.
They argue that the increase in salaries of serving members of the Armed Forces should also translate into corresponding adjustments to the pensions and benefits of retired personnel, in line with existing provisions governing military pensions.
The Wednesday protest highlights the growing frustration among retired military personnel over the failure of the authorities to implement the pension adjustments.
The retirees had gathered peacefully to draw attention to their demands, but the deployment of armed security personnel turned the planned protest into a confrontation between serving and retired members of the military.
Despite the security blockade, the ex-servicemen remained at the scene as security operatives continued to prevent them from accessing the front of the ministry.
The incident comes amid persistent demands by retired military personnel for improved welfare, payment of outstanding benefits and the implementation of pension adjustments following salary reviews for serving personnel.
The retirees maintain that having served the country in the Armed Forces, they should not be denied the financial benefits arising from approved salary adjustments.
Their attempt to protest at the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday was, however, halted by the security deployment, preventing them from converging at the location as originally planned.
