Retired military personnel on Wednesday suspended their planned protest after the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), intervened and assured them that the Federal Government would address their demands on pension adjustments and other welfare concerns.
The decision followed a meeting between representatives of the ex-servicemen and officials of the Ministry of Defence at Ship House, Abuja, where both sides reached an understanding on the need to resolve the outstanding issues.
One of the leaders of the protesters, Col. Innocent Azubike (retd.), said the authorities had acknowledged the legitimacy of their demands and commenced steps to address them.
“Authorities have accepted our cause was genuine and promised and initiated action also to compute our consequential allowance and include it in the fund requirement for implementation of the new outcome.”
Azubike said the development amounted to a successful outcome for the retirees, adding that the publicity generated by the protest also prompted the authorities to act swiftly.
“That was mission achieved as far as we are concerned. And part of what really made them react was that the media was publicising it. They felt it was becoming a scandal and quickly solved the problem.”
He added that the protesters had dispersed following the intervention.
“At this moment, for me, I will be getting back to my station. All our people have dispersed,” he said.
Musa, who was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, assured the veterans that the government remained committed to addressing their welfare, remuneration and pension concerns.
In a statement by the ministry’s spokesman, Henshaw Ogubike, the minister said issues concerning wage and pension adjustments were receiving urgent attention, with relevant military, pension and financial authorities engaged in finding a sustainable resolution.
“Concerns relating to wage and pension adjustments are receiving urgent attention, with relevant military, pension and financial authorities being engaged to achieve a fair, sustainable and implementable resolution that ensures veterans are not unfairly disadvantaged,” Musa said.
He appealed to the ex-servicemen to remain calm and embrace dialogue, stressing that any adjustment to their entitlements must be properly calculated, funded and implemented in line with existing approvals and regulations.
“Any adjustment to veterans’ entitlements must be properly computed, adequately funded and implemented in accordance with extant approvals, regulations and due process,” he said.
The minister further assured the retirees that the Ministry of Defence would continue to engage their representatives and provide updates as progress was made on their demands.
The ex-servicemen had earlier attempted to converge on the ministry to protest what they described as the failure of the authorities to implement consequential pension adjustments arising from salary increases approved for serving military personnel.
They particularly demanded that pensioners benefit from corresponding adjustments following salary increases for serving military personnel.
Azubike had said the retirees were not opposed to salary increases for serving personnel but wanted similar adjustments reflected in their pensions. He also raised concerns over the latest salary increase announced for military personnel in August 2026, which is expected to take effect in September, alleging that pensioners were excluded from the computation.
The planned protest was, however, disrupted by a heavy security presence around the Ministry of Defence.
A correspondent who arrived at the ministry around 8am observed personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Immigration Service and Vehicle Inspection Officers deployed around the venue.
Armed soldiers were also seen moving around the area as security operatives took strategic positions along roads leading to the ministry. Two armoured personnel carriers and more than 15 vehicles belonging to the police, Army, Immigration Service and VIO were stationed at both ends of the roads around the protest venue.
The development reportedly resulted in a confrontation between some serving soldiers and the retired personnel as security operatives moved to prevent the veterans from assembling at the ministry.
The Defence Minister, however, reiterated the Federal Government’s appreciation of the sacrifices and patriotism of military veterans, assuring them that their service to the country would continue to receive attention through sustained efforts to address their welfare and legitimate entitlements.
