The Nigeria Police Force has ordered an immediate reinforcement of security around the Presidential Villa in Abuja, directing officers to prevent a group of protesting retired officers from approaching or gaining access to the Villa’s main gate.
The directive was contained in an internal police wireless message dated July 9, 2026, obtained by SaharaReporters.
The message, marked “Immediate,” was transmitted from the Commander, Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) 24 PMF Prescort, to the Officer Commanding (OC) Provost 24 PMF and all Unit Commanders (UCs), with copies sent to the Chief Police Security Officer (CPSO) to the Commander-in-Chief, the State House, and all Squadron Police Officers (SPOs).
According to the wireless message, the directive originated from the Chief Police Security Officer to the Commander-in-Chief at the State House, Abuja.
The order instructed security personnel to ensure “adequate deployment of personnel around the Presidential Villa with immediate effect.”
It further stated that “under no circumstances” should the retired officers currently protesting be allowed to come close to or gain access to the gate of the Presidential Villa.
Officers were, however, directed to maintain professionalism while enforcing the security measures.
The message read in part: “Maintain a firm but professional security presence. Ensure strict access control and handle the situation with utmost restraint while preventing any breach of security.”
The commanding officer also directed all recipients of the message to comply strictly with the order.
The development comes amid an ongoing protest by retired officers, who have been demanding improved welfare and the resolution of longstanding grievances over their pensions and other entitlements.
Background
The retirees have repeatedly described the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as “inhumane,” “fraudulent,” and “slavery.”
They are demanding that President Bola Tinubu assent to the Nigeria Police Force Pension Board Bill. The bill seeks to remove the police from the CPS and establish a dedicated pension board for the force.
SaharaReporters previously reported that hundreds of retired officers blocked the Presidential Villa gate in April to demand that Tinubu sign the bill.
They suspended that protest to give the Inspector-General of Police time to intervene.
The retirees say many of them live in abject poverty after decades of service, with some receiving lump-sum payments of between ₦3 million and ₦4 million and monthly pensions ranging from ₦30,000 to ₦50,000. Others lamented receiving as little as ₦1.6 million after 35 years of service.
“We have been turned into beggars after 35 years of service,” one retiree said during a protest at the National Assembly.
National Coordinator of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), retired CSP Raphael Irowainu, said many retired officers are suffering from severe injuries, disabilities and trauma but cannot access medical care because their savings remain trapped with PENCOM.
(SaharaReporters)
