The closed-door meeting, held at the Peacekeeping Hall of the Force Headquarters, followed a peaceful protest by scores of elderly retired police personnel who had earlier stormed the National Assembly complex in the rain, bearing placards and chanting protest songs to express their grievances.
Their demands centred on immediate removal of retired police officers from the CPS, which they described as exploitative and unjust.
The protesters decried years of neglect, delayed pension payments, and poor post-service welfare, despite their years of dedicated service to the nation.
Some of the retirees also marched to the Force Headquarters, where the IGP addressed them.
In his remarks, Egbetokun acknowledged their concerns and emphasised that the welfare of retired officers remains a key priority of his administration.
However, he clarified that the process of exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme could not be executed instantly, as it involves legislative and institutional reforms.
He appealed to the protesters to remain patient and avoid spreading misinformation that could undermine ongoing efforts to resolve the issue.
“The Police Force cannot abandon its own,” Egbetokun assured, while noting that sustained engagement with relevant stakeholders was underway to address their concerns.
The protest was also joined by rights activist and Convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, who lent his voice to the retirees’ demands.
He urged the Federal Government to recognise the sacrifices made by security personnel and treat them with dignity and fairness.
“If the government continues to ignore these officers who served with dedication, we are prepared to sustain this protest,” Sowore warned.
The protesting officers vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are met, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and expedite reforms that would guarantee better welfare for both serving and retired members of the Nigeria Police Force.
