Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of neglecting retired police officers, alleging that many are struggling to survive on meagre pensions while serving personnel resort to their retirement savings to meet basic family needs.
Atiku also called on the President to explain the delay in acting on the Police Exit Bill, demanding an urgent review of police salaries following the recent pay increase approved for members of the Armed Forces.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku described the plight of retired officers as a national disgrace, citing cases of former senior police personnel allegedly forced to beg or engage in menial jobs to survive.
He recounted the experience of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly receives a monthly pension of N29,000 and claimed that more than 120 members of the officer’s association had died within three years.
Atiku also cited the case of a retired female Assistant Commissioner of Police who allegedly resorted to seeking employment to survive before she was found begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja.
He said his team intervened to assist her, but argued that individual assistance could not replace a reliable pension system.
The former vice-president further alleged that some serving police officers had withdrawn 25 per cent of their pension savings to feed their families amid rising food, transport and healthcare costs.
He warned that the situation was undermining the welfare of personnel expected to confront armed criminals and protect the country.
Questioning the delay in the Police Exit Bill, Atiku said it was transmitted to Tinubu in March and remained unresolved as of October.
He urged the National Assembly to clarify the bill’s status, demand an explanation for the delay and take the necessary constitutional steps to ensure a decision.
Atiku, who said he would implement a Police Dignity Guarantee Plan if elected president in May 2027, promised to settle verified pension arrears and gratuities, establish a minimum pension benchmark and review police salaries.
He also pledged insured healthcare for serving and retired officers, prompt assistance for families of personnel killed in service and a transparent system for tracking pension entitlements and payments.
