…..PSC Assures Commitment To Improved Welfare For Serving And Retired Police Officers
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has expressed concern over plans by some retired police officers to embark on a nationwide protest action over pension-related grievances, describing the move as ill-advised and counterproductive.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission stated that the issues raised by the aggrieved retirees are already receiving the attention of relevant government agencies. It warned that staging a protest at this critical time—when there is broad consensus on the need to urgently improve the welfare of retired officers—would be “diversionary and in bad taste.”
The Chairman of the Commission, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, mni, has on several occasions decried the current pension arrangements, describing them as poor and discriminatory towards certain categories of retired officers. He has consistently called for a unified and equitable police pension scheme and has remained a vocal advocate for pension reforms within the security sector.
According to the Commission, there is ongoing engagement among key government bodies to address the glaring disparities in the current pension system. It urged the concerned officers to pursue dialogue and peaceful negotiation rather than confrontation.
“The Commission wishes to state that it will at no time deviate from its determined efforts to ensure improved welfare for police officers, whether serving or retired, senior or junior,” the statement read.
It further advised the promoters of the planned protest to reconsider their stance and return to the dialogue table in the interest of national peace and stability.
“At this critical point in our democratic journey, the nation cannot afford the distraction that such a protest would bring,” the Commission added.
