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Anxiety as retired police officers, Sowore stage ‘mother of all protests’ in Abuja, others
Presidential candidate of African Action Congress, AAC, in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore and other activists have vowed to stage a protest in Abuja on Monday, today, to demand improved welfare for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
Simultaneously, members of the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers will be picketing the National Assembly complex and the Force Headquarters to demand their removal from the contributory pension scheme, which they described as a “discriminatory pension scheme.”
The retired officers claimed that they have been pushed to the wall with the government’s unresponsive attitude to their yearnings about what they tagged “discriminatory pension scheme.”
In a telephone interview on Sunday, the Chairman of the union, Mannir M. Lawal, said members from across the 36 states are presently in Abuja for the “mother of all peaceful protests.”
“Nothing is going to stop the protest. We have just met with the FCT Commissioner of Police. We have informed him of our intention.
“We just want to be removed from the Contributory Pension Scheme. We want all our savings to be refunded to us with immediate effect,” he said.
Contrary to reports that Sowore and other activists orchestrated the protest to tarnish the image of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Lawal said that the union solely planned the exercise.
He said, “We only saw Sowore’s own on social media. We are not aware of his planned protest before today.”
Sensitive police welfare politicised, colleagues for ulterior motives – Police
The Nigeria Police Force lamented on Sunday that certain actors in the country have decided to politicize a sensitive welfare issue of the personnel and retired police officers, stating that they are “weaponizing the legitimate grievances of our retired colleagues for ulterior motives.”
Apparently referring to moves by Sowore and other activists, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that “their intent is not reform, but disruption.”
He accused the unnamed actors of “twisting facts, inflaming sentiments, and sowing distrust in the public space,” stressing that their actions do a disservice not only to the force, “but to the integrity of public discourse in our country.”
“We, however, remain focused on the real issue, which is the welfare of those who once bore the burden of national security with courage and honour.”
The IGP, however, directed Commissioners of Police to ensure the protesters are protected.
Police direct officers to remain in barracks
A leaked memo sighted on Sunday night directed some police officers, particularly those in the nation’s capital, to remain in the barracks until further notice.
“All officers and men serving in the command be confined to the barracks with immediate effect until further notice.
“All to acknowledge receipt for strict compliance please,” part of the memo from Supol Asokoro and dated July 20, 2025, indicated.
Police fidgeting, no going back on protest – Sowore
When contacted , Sowore said despite the oppositions from the Force and the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, “there is no going back on the protest.”
Also, in a post on his social media handles, Sowore alleged that the Nigeria Police Force and the present administration led by Bola Tinubu “refused to pay the police decent salaries,” insisting that it is a “lack of respect for you to deny them pensions.”
“You humiliated them in service and in retirement. Now you’re scrambling, issuing statements, summoning spin doctors, locking officers in barracks, trying to explain away decades of injustice,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
The Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, on Sunday called on the aggrieved retirees to return to the table for negotiations, stating that the planned nationwide protest was an attempt to discredit the IGP.
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Beautiful and Well Equipped Medical Health Centre Built by Atanda Lawal in Obalende/Ikoyi Local Government Area
This is what another local government chairman has done in Obalende with his own increased allocations paid directly to him.
This is the result of the new social reorder; place the money for development in the hands of the authorities closer to the everyday people.
Tinubu has done his own, and if you cannot ask your individual local authorities what they have done with their allocations, that is your own irresponsibility as a citizen.
Remember, the amount each of the 774 authorities receive is published every month for all eyes to see.
Grassroot developments have begun, and it will only get better with time.
No more na governor chop money.
Hold your governors and LG chairmen by the neck.
They must deliver EVERYTHING IS NOT TINUBU !!!
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the safety and welfare of National Youth Service Corps members posted to the state, assuring them of a peaceful and enabling environment throughout their service year.
Our correspondent reports that no fewer than 940 corps members took the oath of allegiance marking their formal admission into the mandatory three-week orientation course.
The governor made the pledge on Friday, during the formal swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members held at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, Government Science Technical College, Amada, in Akko Local Government Area.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development / Chairman, NYSC State Governing Board, Inuwa Ibrahim welcomed the corps members to the “Jewel in the Savannah.
Governor Yahaya described Gombe as a “safe haven,” stressing that his administration places high priority on youth development, peace, and security.
“We guarantee a conducive working environment for your activities and programmes during your service year,” he said. “Let me assure you of our unwavering commitment to your welfare, security, and general well-being.”
The governor, who congratulated the new corps members on their successful academic journey and induction into national service, advised them to take the orientation course seriously, as it lays the foundation for a purposeful service year.
“The orientation course is designed to introduce you to the objectives of the NYSC. I urge you to participate actively and take advantage of the teachings and training to develop your potential,” he stated.
Yahaya encouraged the corps members to integrate into their host communities and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the state.
“As you serve in Gombe, I encourage you to be part of our developmental efforts and help in empowering the youth. Your predecessors left positive footprints, and it’s our collective responsibility to continue building on that legacy,” he added.
The governor also commended the NYSC scheme for promoting national unity over the past 50 years and appreciated partner agencies and stakeholders for their continued support of the scheme in the state.
He concluded by declaring the orientation course officially open and wished the corps members a fruitful, impactful, and incident-free service year.
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The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has called off its warning strike, the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, announced on Friday.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting in Abuja, Pate said the decision followed agreements reached between the government and the association’s leadership.
However, union leaders declined to speak to the press after the meeting.
Nurses and midwives under the association had begun a nationwide warning strike on July 29 over unmet demands, including improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions in federal health institutions.
The strike, which affected public health institutions across the country, was scheduled to last until August 5.
The union’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, had previously accused the Federal Government of failing to engage with the association during the 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it.
“Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time,” Rilwan had said.
The association is demanding an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan had also said the decision to embark on the strike was driven by widespread frustration among members over years of neglect.
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