Retired soldiers storm Defence Ministry, demand payment of pensions

A protest was held at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja on Wednesday with military retirees calling for the enactment of consequential amendments in their pensions.

The retired soldiers were at the ministry to demand that their pension amendments be paid, but they were denied access to the building by soldiers carrying weapons.

One of the retirees who spoke to the protesters stated that President Bola Tinubu had approved an increment in the salaries of military and paramilitary staff in November 2025.

He, however, said the corresponding adjustment to the pensions of retired personnel had yet to be implemented, despite the approval.

The retirees called on the Federal Government to address the issue and ensure that the approved pension adjustments are implemented without further delay.

“Since November last year, the President approved a salary increase for the military and paramilitary personnel, and it has been in the news everywhere.

“The military high command has continued to thank the President at every given opportunity, but this is August 2026 and they are yet to implement it.

“It’s as if it is a scam. This is Nigeria. We served for 35 years. The system is wrong,” he said.