Retired police officers on Monday staged a protest in Abuja over what they described as severe pension hardship, accusing the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and the Federal Government of abandoning them after years of service.

The retirees, who demanded urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police and PENCOM, carried placards highlighting their grievances.

One of the placards read: “When we escaped the bandits’ killings, PENCOM is now killing us.”

Another stated: “Enough is enough! Nigeria police needed for VIP protection and election duties but are abandoned and discarded by the same government after retirement to die of hunger.”

The protesters called on the President to sign the Police Exit Bill, which seeks to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme. The bill was passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President earlier in the year.

They accused PENCOM, the Inspector-General of Police and the Federal Government of making repeated promises without addressing their demands for improved retirement benefits.

The demonstration forms part of ongoing agitation by retired police personnel who say their current pensions are inadequate to meet basic needs, including medical expenses, after decades of service under dangerous conditions.