Some retired military personnel from the Armed Forces of Nigeria staged a protest on Monday at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding the immediate payment of their statutory entitlements, including outstanding gratuities, Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), and parking allowance.
The aggrieved veterans, comprising both male and female ex-servicemen, blocked the ministry’s main gate, temporarily halting official activities and drawing the attention of security operatives and members of the public. Clad in military camouflage and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters insisted that their demands must be met before engaging in any dialogue.
Efforts by a senior military officer, an Air Vice Marshal, who arrived at the scene to mediate and appeal for calm, proved unsuccessful as the protesters remained resolute.
One of the protest leaders, Retired Corporal Umar Faruq, who also identified himself as an engineer, condemned what he described as the “deliberate neglect” of veterans by the authorities. He revealed that the Military Pensions Board had informed them they were ineligible for the new national minimum wage adjustments due to their disengagement date of July 1, 2024.
“This is unacceptable,” Faruq said. “We gave our best years to the nation. Many of us are suffering while the system continues to deny us what is rightfully ours.”
The protest caused temporary disruption to operations at the Ministry of Finance complex, although there were no reports of violence or arrests.
While no official statement has been issued yet by the Ministry of Finance or the Military Pensions Board regarding the protest, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, who addressed the crowd, assured the veterans that the government was aware of their concerns and would give prompt attention to their demands.
The protest underscores growing discontent among retired service personnel over perceived delays and inconsistencies in the payment of military retirement benefits.