The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to urgently address the demands of retired police officers who staged a peaceful protest on Monday across several states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group described the conditions of retired police personnel as “horrible, disgraceful, and inhuman,” noted that such treatment of men who served the nation for decades was unacceptable.
“Retired Nigerian policemen went on peaceful protest in Abuja and other states, including Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River, over poor pensions and gratuities,” the statement said. “The police pensioners revealed that some of them receive as low as N1.8 million and N3.5 million as gratuity, while others earn monthly pensions of just N45,000. It is, indeed, a national disgrace.”
MURIC lamented what it termed a “misplacement of priorities,” citing the disparity between generous allocations to lawmakers and former governors and the meager welfare packages for policemen, both serving and retired.
“The sufferings and frustrations of the police cascade down to the ordinary Nigerian,” the group added. “We, the masses, are the ones who face harassment at checkpoints, pay for basic police station materials, and are often forced to part with money before bail is granted—even though we are told bail is free.”
MURIC further urged that any welfare reform must not be limited to retired officers alone but should extend to serving personnel across all security services.
The group also commended Omoyele Sowore and other activists who joined the protest in solidarity, noting that their actions were not antagonistic but supportive of justice and dignity for the police force. It equally praised the Inspector General of Police for his mature handling of the situation.
“The IGP deserves a medal for listening calmly to the protesters. Such leadership should be encouraged,” Akintola stated.
MURIC concluded by stressed that national stability, justice, and security would remain elusive unless the welfare of security agents is prioritized.
