By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Retired military personnel have suspended their planned protest after the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, assured them that the Federal Government would address their concerns over pension adjustments and other welfare issues.
The decision followed a meeting between representatives of the ex-servicemen and officials of the Ministry of Defence at Ship House, Abuja, on Wednesday.
One of the protest leaders, Col. Innocent Azubike (retd.), said the authorities had acknowledged the retirees’ demands and started taking steps to address them.
He said the government had agreed to compute the consequential allowances owed to the pensioners and include the funds required for implementation.
“Authorities have accepted our cause was genuine and promised and initiated action also to compute our consequential allowance and include it in the fund requirement for implementation of the new outcome,” Azubike said.
He added that the development represented the achievement of the protesters’ main objective.
“The mission was achieved as far as we are concerned. At this moment, for me, I will be getting back to my station. All our people have dispersed,” he said.
The Minister of Defence, who was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah, assured the veterans that the government remained committed to resolving their concerns over welfare, remuneration and pensions.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesman, Henshaw Ogubike, Musa said issues surrounding wage and pension adjustments were receiving urgent attention.
He said relevant military, pension and financial authorities were working together to find a fair and sustainable solution.
“Concerns relating to wage and pension adjustments are receiving urgent attention, with relevant military, pension and financial authorities being engaged to achieve a fair, sustainable and implementable resolution that ensures veterans are not unfairly disadvantaged,” Musa said.
The minister urged the protesters to remain calm and continue with dialogue, stressing that any adjustment to veterans’ entitlements must be properly calculated, funded and implemented in line with existing approvals and regulations.
He also assured the ex-servicemen that the ministry would continue engaging their representatives and provide updates as progress was made.
Heavy Security Deployment
Earlier, security operatives heavily deployed personnel around the Ministry of Defence as the retired soldiers prepared to protest.
The deployment included officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Immigration Service and Vehicle Inspection Officers.
Armed soldiers were also positioned along roads leading to the ministry, while two armoured personnel carriers and more than 15 security vehicles were seen around the protest venue.
The security presence reportedly led to a confrontation between some serving soldiers and retired personnel as the authorities attempted to prevent the veterans from gathering at the ministry.
The ex-servicemen had planned the protest over what they described as the failure of the authorities to implement consequential pension adjustments following salary increases approved for serving military personnel.
Azubike said the retirees were not opposed to salary increases for serving personnel but wanted corresponding adjustments to their pensions.
He also raised concerns over the latest salary increase announced for military personnel in August 2026, which is expected to take effect in September.
According to him, the pensioners were excluded from the computation despite being entitled to consequential adjustments.
Musa acknowledged the sacrifices made by retired military personnel and said their welfare remained a priority for the Federal Government.
He reiterated the government’s appreciation for their patriotism and service, assuring them that the Ministry of Defence would continue to work towards resolving their legitimate concerns.
The minister urged the veterans to remain patient as the relevant authorities work towards a sustainable resolution of the pension issues.
