Military retirees on Tuesday staged a protest at the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, barricading the entrance with canopies and chairs as they demanded full payment of their long-overdue entitlements.
This demonstration follows a similar protest in December, during which retirees shut down the ministry over the government’s failure to settle their claims.
The protesters alleged they were owed a 20% to 28% salary increment covering January to November 2024.
Despite receiving official approval for payment, they claimed ministry officials cited a lack of funds as the reason for the delay.
The retirees had in December protested against the non payment of their entitlment, forcing the federal government to pay 50% of the owed entitlements.
However, the retirees insist on the settlement of the outstanding balance.
The retirees are also demanding payments for other outstanding benefits, including: Palliatives for the period between October 2023 and November 2024, an additional N32,000 added to their pensions, a bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance and a refund of pension deductions from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers.
At the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja, the retirees erected canopies and placed chairs to block the gate, effectively preventing staff from driving into the premises, forcing many to park their vehicles outside.
The retirees were also seen doing push-ups to show how agile they are.
