{
  "id": 1902759,
  "title": "PHOTOS: Police, soldiers block ex-servicemen from protesting at defence ministry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/photos-police-soldiers-block-ex-servicemen-from-protesting-at-defence",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T09:42:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/photos-police-soldiers-block-ex-servicemen-from-protesting-at-defence-ministry/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, retired military personnel were prevented from gathering in front of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja to protest against the non-implementation of crucial adjustments to their pensions. The protesters aimed to march towards the front of the ministry as part of their planned demonstration. However, additional security personnel were deployed to stop them from assembling at the location. This occurred after a previous altercation between serving soldiers and the retired military personnel, following attempts by security operatives to hinder the ex-servicemen from staging their protest at the ministry. The retirees are advocating for the implementation of significant pension adjustments resulting from recent salary increases approved for active military personnel. Earlier, soldiers stationed at the ministry had clashed with the protesters as they sought to congregate at the premises, leading to a confrontation between serving and retired military personnel. Consequently, the increased security presence dissuaded the ex-servicemen from gathering at the front of the ministry as originally intended. Solomon Odeniyi, a journalist with Punch Newspapers and six years of professional experience, has reported on the judiciary, military, and police, focusing on anti-corruption and related issues.",
  "summary": "Police and soldiers blocked ex-servicemen from protesting at the Defence Ministry over unpaid pension adjustments. com/photos-police-soldiers-block-ex-servicemen-from-protesting-at-defence-ministry/",
  "key_points": [
    "Retired military blocked from protesting at Abuja's defense ministry",
    "Security forces prevent pension adjustments demonstration",
    "Conflict with serving soldiers precedes security deployment"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "PHOTOS: Police, soldiers block ex-servicemen from protesting at defence ministry",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/photos-police-soldiers-block-ex-servicemen-from-protesting-at-defence-1907378",
        "published": "2026-08-19T10:08:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}