News
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.
FOLLOW US ON:
Social media activist VeryDarkMan has called out Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State for allegedly inviting only Igbo players from the victorious Super Falcons squad who just won the WAFCON title. In this viral video, VDM didn’t hold back as he condemned the ethnic bias, urging Nigerian leaders to embrace unity and national pride over tribal sentiments.
The Super Falcons made the nation proud — so why was only a select few recognized?
Watch as VeryDarkMan breaks down the issue and calls for fairness, equality, and inclusive leadership in Nigeria!
Do you agree with him? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk!
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more trending updates, real talk, and unfiltered reactions.
FOLLOW US ON:
Some frustrated women and young girls in Kano have taken their protest to Kofar Mata metropolis, an area known for brutal thuggery and killings over incessant loss of lives to the menace.
The women who trooped out on Saturday, demanded an urgent end to the violence that has cost the lives of their children and siblings.
Chanting slogans and holding placards, the protesters marched through the streets, calling on authorities to take decisive action.
A woman at the protest lamented that “our sons are dying for no reason. Every day, there is a fight, a killing, a stabbing,” said one grieving mother at the scene.
“We can’t continue like this,” another woman said.
In recent months, Kano State has witnessed a disturbing surge in street violence, with thuggery, phone snatching, and gang clashes becoming alarmingly common.
On Friday August 1st and 31st July 2025, there were reported thug clashes along that area.
A medical personnel in the area, Sadiya Umar said that I just passed the area today and I heard teargas and I think I heard gunshots too.
She said: “We were terrified, but I didn’t hear of the death of anyone.”
The growing insecurity has led to the loss of lives, especially among young people caught in the crossfire of gang rivalries.
One of the most shocking recent incidents occurred in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a group of phone snatchers was struck by a vehicle shortly after robbing pedestrians at knifepoint.
A video of the incident, widely shared online, shows the suspects being overpowered by angry residents, beaten severely before being handed over to the police.
This kind of public reaction is becoming more frequent.
Many residents, frustrated by what they perceive as slow official response, have taken matters into their own hands—apprehending suspects and torture them before handing them to law enforcement agents.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Kano State Police Command launched Operation Kukan Kura in early 2025.
The initiative targets phone snatching gangs and violent youth groups known locally as ‘Yan Daba’.
Since its launch, the operation has led to several arrests and increased patrols in known crime hotspots.
The police say the operation is already yielding results, as frequently shared on the Facebook page of the force’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
However residents believe more sustained efforts are needed.
FOLLOW US ON:
A senior police officer attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected a bribe of N800,000 offered in an attempt to secure the release of a suspected armed robber and cover up the crime.
The spokesperson of the command, Timfon John, in a statement said the incident occurred on Wednesday, 30th July, 2025.
According to her, the prime suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung smartphone, reportedly stolen at gunpoint, was traced to him.
Investigations revealed that Isaac is a repeat offender, having previously been arrested and charged to court for a similar offence last year. He reportedly returned to criminal activity shortly after being released.
The second suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter, was apprehended at the SWAT office while attempting to offer the N800,000 bribe to secure Isaac’s release.
“A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected N800,000 bribe offered to him on Wednesday, July 30, 2025,” the statement read.
“The money was intended to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and also cover up the crime. The suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung phone that was gotten at gun point was traced to him.
“Isaac has a history of similar offences as he was arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.
“The other suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter was arrested after he brought the bribe to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect. He was taken into custody after the offer was rejected.
“All officers concerned with this discreet investigation received a commendation letter from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare.
“The CP, while addressing officers at the end of the month briefing, charged them to emulate the Distinguished officers.
“Members of the public are therefore warned to desist from compromising police investigation.”
FOLLOW US ON:
-
Education2 weeks agoHow A Class Of 24 Students Produced 2 Presidents, 4 Governors, 2 Ministers, 4 Emirs, 3 Justices, 4 Ambassadors and Other Influential Leaders
-
News2 weeks ago‘Sleeping Prince’ of Saudi Arabia dies after 20 years in coma
-
News2 weeks agoWhy Do You Continue To Lie Against Your Motherland? Presidency Calls Out Kemi Badenoch
-
News1 week agoLagos belongs to no tribe – Sowore kicks against renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop, others
-
Lifestyle2 weeks agoPeople Who Abandon Their Heritage Do So At Their Own Peril – Gani Adams Warns
-
Politics2 weeks ago‘If I don’t give you electricity, don’t vote for me again’ – ADC reminds Tinubu of failed promise
-
News1 week agoYou can’t lie about your country and then we keep quiet – Dabiri-Erewa slams Kemi Badenoch over claim on Nigerian citizenship
-
Lifestyle1 week agoActor Odunlade Adekola has sadly lost his father