Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the alleged neglect of retired police officers, claiming that many are struggling to afford food, medical care and other basic necessities despite years of service to the country.
Atiku also called for the urgent resolution of the Police Exit Bill and a review of salaries for serving police personnel following reports of a salary increase for members of the Armed Forces.
In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku expressed concern about the reported difficulties confronting retired officers and their families.
He noted that some retired police officers had recently protested outside the National Assembly alongside their wives and children, demanding legislative action to improve their retirement conditions.
“Men and women who answered Nigeria’s call for decades are now waiting outside its legislature for Nigeria to answer theirs,” Atiku said, condemning the situation.
The former vice president recalled the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly informed him that he received a monthly pension of ₦29,000.
Atiku added that the retired officer claimed more than 120 members of his association had died within three years.
He also narrated the experience of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who allegedly faced severe financial difficulties after leaving service and resorted to searching for menial jobs, including cleaning work, to survive.
According to Atiku, one of his media managers later encountered the woman begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja, leading to an intervention to assist her.
Although he welcomed the assistance provided, Atiku stressed that personal acts of charity could not replace a reliable pension system for retired police personnel.
He further referenced the situation of a retired police officer in Bauchi who allegedly resorted to collecting firewood for sale to earn money for food.
Atiku said the accounts highlighted the difficulties facing former officers who had spent years enforcing the law but were reportedly unable to meet their basic needs after retirement.
The ADC chieftain also alleged that some serving police officers had withdrawn 25 per cent of their pension savings to support their families amid increasing living costs.
He argued that rising prices of food, transportation and medicines had worsened the financial burden on officers whose earnings were allegedly insufficient to cover their household expenses.
Atiku maintained that the government had a duty to ensure that police personnel who risk their lives to protect citizens could adequately provide for their families during service and in retirement.
Atiku Calls for Urgent Action on Police Exit Bill
The former vice president said the Police Exit Bill was forwarded to President Tinubu in March and criticised the alleged delay in deciding its fate.
Referring to Section 58 of the Constitution, Atiku argued that the president had 30 days to indicate whether he would assent to the legislation or withhold his approval.
He urged the National Assembly to make the bill’s official status public, seek an explanation for the delay and clarify the constitutional procedures available to advance the matter.
Atiku also called for any necessary legislative vote to be conducted transparently, with lawmakers’ positions made available to the public.
He argued that retired officers should not be compelled to protest outside the National Assembly before their pension and welfare concerns receive attention.
Atiku Proposes Police Welfare Programme
Atiku announced that if his administration assumed office in May 2027, it would introduce a Police Dignity Guarantee Plan to address pension arrears, healthcare, salaries and retirement benefits.
He said the proposed initiative would involve auditing outstanding pension and gratuity claims and settling verified amounts according to publicly disclosed payment schedules.
He also promised to establish a minimum pension threshold, subject to periodic reviews to reflect changes in the cost of living.
According to Atiku, the programme would provide insured healthcare for serving and retired officers, medical treatment for personnel injured in the line of duty and timely assistance to the families of officers who died while serving.
He further proposed home-based verification for officers whose illnesses or disabilities made travelling difficult, arguing that medical challenges should not prevent eligible beneficiaries from accessing their entitlements.
Regarding serving personnel, Atiku pledged to review police salaries to ease financial pressures that he said had forced some officers to withdraw from their pension savings to meet household needs.
He also proposed a system that would provide every officer with a detailed record of pension contributions and entitlements before retirement, alongside an assigned contact for resolving complaints and a reliable payment timetable.
Atiku said the proposed reforms would be supported by appropriate budgetary allocations and public reports detailing payments made under the programme.
“Police officers have given Nigeria their strength and their years. Those who protect this country must be able to protect their families. And when their service ends, Nigeria must keep its word to them,” he said.
