Abuja: Protesting military pensioners block entrance to pensions board

The military veterans blockaded the entrance of the Military Pension Board building in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, on Tuesday due to issues with the new formula used in revising their pensions.

They blockaded the entrance using canopies and chairs, while soldiers with guns prevented them from gaining access to the building.

The action comes weeks after military retirees protested at the Ministry of Defence in September, demanding an increase in their pensions following salary adjustments for serving military personnel.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had promised that the retirees would receive an increase in October.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Monday, the Coordinator of the Veterans Association of Nigeria, Lt. Col. Innocent Azubike, accused the board of adopting a pension adjustment formula that allegedly short-changed some retirees.

Azubike said the planned protest followed growing dissatisfaction among veterans over the implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions.

The veterans’ concerns centre on the formula used to calculate the adjustments, which they believe has failed to adequately reflect the salary increases granted to serving military personnel.

The latest action underscores the continuing disagreement between military retirees and the authorities over the implementation of the promised pension adjustments.

More details to follow…