Armed soldiers and police officers on Wednesday prevented retired military personnel from gathering in front of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, where the ex-servicemen had planned to protest over the delayed implementation of pension adjustments.
The retirees had converged in the Federal Capital Territory to demand the implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions following salary increases approved for serving military personnel.
However, security operatives deployed to the ministry moved to stop the protesters from accessing the frontage of the building.
The development reportedly led to a confrontation between the retired personnel and serving soldiers as the ex-servicemen attempted to assemble at the ministry’s premises.
More security personnel were subsequently deployed to the area, effectively preventing the retirees from holding their planned demonstration at the location.
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The protesters are demanding that the Federal Government implement the consequential adjustments to their pensions arising from salary increases granted to serving military personnel.
The retirees have maintained that the pension adjustments are necessary to reflect the changes in the remuneration of serving members of the armed forces.
Despite the heavy security presence, the ex-servicemen continued to press their demands, insisting on the implementation of the outstanding pension adjustments.
The incident highlights the growing frustration among military retirees over the unresolved pension issue and their demand for the government to address their grievances.
