The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said that many retired police officers are living in shameful conditions because of poor pension payments under the Contributory Pension Scheme, and this is killing the spirit of serving officers.
He spoke in Abuja during a meeting with senior officers, days after retired police officers protested on July 21, asking the Federal Government to remove them from the current pension scheme, which they said was shortchanging them.
Egbetokun described the situation as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
“Today, most retired officers of the Nigerian Police Force live in conditions that are not only unacceptable, but humiliating, given the sacrifices they made in service to the nation,” he said.
“Their monthly pension under the CPS is maximally low and roughly inadequate to meet even the most basic needs. Many can no longer afford health care, housing, or a life of dignity.”
The police boss said this hardship was not only affecting retired officers but also causing fear among those still in service.
“This has turned retirement into a period of hardship and regret, eroding the confidence of serving officers, who now see their future with fear rather than hope,” he added.
“Among serving officers, there exists a growing and deep-rooted anxiety, born from the belief, rightly or wrongly, that retirement is a descent into hardship. This fear has become so pervasive that it is having a noticeable demoralising effect on morale across ranks.”
He noted that although police leadership supports leaving the pension scheme, any decision must be done wisely to avoid future problems.
“I sounded a caution that my people should look well before they jump into any exit. There may be a booby trap in the bill. So what is the use in exiting out of this bill and jumping into uncertainty?”
Egbetokun explained that his warning was misunderstood as resistance.
“Some people have interpreted that to mean that I don’t want the police to exit the CPS. That is not true. But people often know that that’s not exactly what it meant.”
He said the Force had made its position clear during the National Assembly public hearing on the bill to exempt police from the scheme and had also sent a formal letter stating its stance.
Egbetokun urged commanders to engage serving and retired officers and help explain the efforts being made to improve welfare. He also introduced a new reward for outstanding officers.
“To further boost morale amongst serving officers, I am proud to announce a new welfare incentive. Any officer who wins the IGP’s award for exceptional professionalism twice consecutively will now be considered for accelerated promotion,” he said.
“This is not just a reward, it is a call to excellence, creativity, and patriotism.”
When asked about recent criticism by former IGP Usman Baba, Egbetokun refused to respond directly.
“For those who know me, I believe in service discipline. I would, therefore, not want to join issues with him,” he said.
Baba, in a recent interview, said some of his colleagues had not received their pension years after retirement. He said, “Just last week, Isah, my PA, who retired seven months ago, was telling me that he had not gotten one kobo up till today.”
He accused Egbetokun of ignoring the crisis and failing to consult past IGPs.
“Unfortunately, the man who succeeded me, he has not known much of what police administration is, rather than operation, because he has been in the field,” Baba said.
He added that although a forum exists for former and serving IGPs to meet, it is rarely used.
