Heavy security as military retirees protest pension adjustment

Heavy security measures were observed around the Ministry of Defence in Abuja on Wednesday, in anticipation of a protest led by military retirees. The demonstration was in response to what they claim is the non-implementation of pension adjustments following recent salary hikes for active military personnel. Upon arrival at the scene, a correspondent noted the presence of personnel from various security bodies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Vehicle Inspection Officers.

Armored vehicles and numerous vehicles from these agencies were stationed around the protest location. The planned protest, however, had not yet begun at the time of reporting. Col. Innocent Azubike (retd.), a leader among the protestors, stated that the aim was to secure what he termed as "constitutional pension rights" for military retirees.

He alleged that President Bola Tinubu's approval of a salary increase for military personnel in November 2025 should have resulted in a corresponding pension adjustment, but this had not materialized. Azubike alleged that while the fund for the latest salary increase had been computed, the pensioners were omitted from the consequential adjustment.

He emphasized that while the new salary increase for serving personnel was welcomed, the exclusion of retirees from the corresponding adjustment was the main cause for the protest.