JUST IN: Protesting military retirees block pensions board entrance in Abuja

Military veterans congregated outside the Military Pensions Board office in Abuja on Tuesday, obstructing the entrance in protest over the method used to adjust their pension benefits. The protestors, from the Veterans Association of Nigeria, placed canopies and chairs in front of the office to prevent entry, while armed soldiers stood guard to deter any attempt to enter.

This demonstration followed a similar protest at the Ministry of Defence in September, where retirees demanded a rise in their pensions after a salary adjustment for active military personnel. The Ministry's Minister, Christopher Musa, had assured the retirees that they would receive an increase in October. During a recent interview, the Veterans Association's Coordinator, Lt. Col. Innocent Azubike, accused the board of utilizing a pension adjustment formula that disadvantaged some retirees.

Azubike's dissatisfaction stems from the perceived inadequacy of the formula in reflecting the salary increments given to serving military personnel. This ongoing conflict between military retirees and authorities regarding pension adjustments highlights the unresolved issues in the implementation of the promised pension adjustments.