Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Armed security personnel on Wednesday prevented retired military personnel from staging a protest in front of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja over the non-implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions.
The ex-servicemen had gathered to demand pension increases linked to salary adjustments approved for serving military personnel.
The retirees attempted to move towards the ministry’s main frontage to begin their planned demonstration, but additional police officers and soldiers were deployed to prevent them from assembling at the location.
The development followed an earlier confrontation between the retired personnel and serving soldiers deployed to the ministry to restrict the protest.
Security operatives subsequently maintained a strong presence around the ministry, blocking access to the area where the retirees intended to demonstrate.
The retirees are demanding the implementation of consequential pension adjustments arising from salary increases approved for serving members of the armed forces.
The protesters argue that retired personnel should benefit from corresponding adjustments to their pensions whenever salaries for serving military personnel are reviewed.
The confrontation occurred as the ex-servicemen attempted to proceed with their planned demonstration, with security personnel preventing them from reaching the front of the ministry.
Despite the heavy security deployment, the retirees remained at the location as they continued to press their demands over the pension adjustments.
The protest is centred on the retirees’ call for what they describe as their pension rights and the implementation of adjustments they believe should accompany salary increases for serving military personnel.
