JUST IN: Retired soldiers protest at Ministry of Finance over unpaid entitlements

A group of retired Nigerian Army personnel, under the banner of Voluntary Discharged Soldiers – 1st and 2nd Quarters Retirees, staged a protest on Monday at the Ministry of Finance Headquarters in Abuja, demanding the immediate payment of their outstanding gratuities and entitlements.

According to reports, the ex-servicemen barricaded the main entrance of the ministry, effectively preventing staff and officials from accessing the building. The protest caused disruptions to official activities as the retirees stood their ground, calling for justice and fulfillment of their long-overdue benefits.

Many of the protesters, some dressed in military camouflage, carried placards and chanted solidarity songs. Their demands include the full payment of their statutory gratuity, Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), and parking allowance all of which they claim have been neglected despite repeated appeals to relevant authorities.

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They are also demanding for 43 months withheld salaries before gratuity and pension payment, wage award palliative total payment.

The aggrieved protesters turned down the entreaties by a senior military officer, an Air Vice Marshal, who arrived at the scene to appeal and pacify the protesters just as the veterans remained adamant and refused to vacate the entrance, insisting their demands must be met before any dialogue could commence.

One of those who spoke to SaharaReporters, Sergeant Augustine Agommo (rtd) described the disdainful treatment of the retired soldiers as absurd, ridiculous and unacceptable.

He disclosed that the Military Pensions Board had not helped in the matter when they were informed.

The board claimed the retirees are not entitled to the new national minimum wage adjustments, citing their disengagement date of July 1, 2024, as the basis.

He said they served the country and sacrificed their lives but they were being treated with disrespect.

“We are living heroes and deserve to be recognised and treated right, not celebrated as fallen heroes when we are no more. We gave our best years to the nation. Many of us are suffering with our families while the system continues to deny us what is rightfully ours,” he lamented.

Official activities in the ministry have been totally disrupted as of the time of filing this report.

The leaders and representatives of the protesting retired soldiers have been asked to meet with the top ministry officials.

Armed security operatives including the Nigerian Army have been stationed in front of the building to forestall possible breakdowns of law and orders.

No official statement has been issued by the Ministry of Finance or the Military Pensions Board on the matter.