Military Retirees Protest Pension Adjustment Formula, Block Abuja Pensions Board Entrance

Military retirees have barricaded the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, protesting the formula adopted for adjusting their pensions. The veterans are demanding a review of the calculation method, which they allege has short-changed some retirees.

The protest took place on Tuesday, with the retirees using canopies and chairs to block access to the premises. Armed soldiers were stationed at the entrance and prevented the protesters from entering the office.

The demonstration follows an earlier protest by military retirees at the Ministry of Defence in September. During that demonstration, they demanded higher pensions following salary adjustments granted to serving military personnel.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had reportedly assured the retirees that their pensions would be increased in October. However, the latest protest suggests that concerns remain over how the proposed adjustments are being calculated.

The retirees’ main grievance is that the formula adopted by the Military Pensions Board does not adequately reflect the salary increases received by serving military personnel. They argue that the method used to calculate their pension adjustments has left some former service members dissatisfied.

Their renewed demonstration highlights continuing concerns about the welfare and pension entitlements of retired military personnel. The protesters are seeking a calculation method that they believe would fairly account for the salary adjustments that prompted their earlier demands.

The veterans are calling for a fair review of the pension adjustment formula, insisting that their entitlements should reflect the relevant salary increases. The supplied report does not state whether the Military Pensions Board has responded to their latest demands or announced any changes to the formula.