The Police Service Commission (PSC) has asked retired police officers planning nationwide protests over the contributory pension scheme (CPS) to shelve the planned demonstration.
The planned protest has been scheduled to commence on July 21 in many parts of the country.
Over the past few years, retired police officers have been demanding full exemption from the CPS for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Some of the retired police officers had argued that they received a meagre monthly pension that cannot cater for their immediate needs.
Under the CPS, the employee and employer make monthly contributions towards the employee’s pension at retirement.
Members of the armed forces, the intelligence and secret services are exempted from the scheme.
In a statement on Sunday, Ani Ikechukwu, PSC spokesperson, said the plan of the retired police officers to embark on protest is “ill-advised and ill-timed”, adding that the matter is being addressed.
Ikechukwu said the commission has repeatedly condemned “discriminatory” pension schemes for some categories of retired police officers.
“The commission believes that relevant government agencies are currently looking into the obvious disparity with a view to bridging the gap,” the statement reads.
“It advises that the affected officers should consider the path of dialogue and continuous engagement rather than confrontation.
“The commission wishes to state that it will at no time deviate from its determined efforts to ensure an improved welfare for police officers, senior or junior, and serving or retired.
“It wishes to advise the drivers of this intended planned protest to review its intentions and return to the negotiating table in the interest of the existing peace in the country.
“The commission is of the strong belief that the nation can not afford this distraction at this time of our democratic journey.”
