Again, retired Nigerian soldiers protest unpaid entitlements in Abuja, shut down Finance Ministry

Retired Nigerian soldiers under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Veterans (CCV), have once again, staged a protest to demand full payment of their unpaid allowances and entitlements from the federal government.

The veterans who staged the protest in Tuesday in Abuja, shut down activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance, while displaying banners and placards with different inscriptions, all demanding the full payment of their long-overdue entitlements.

The ex-servicemen had, on December 5, 2024, embarked on a similar protest march where they also shut down the premises of the Finance Ministry over the non-payment of their palliatives and its arrears from October 2023 to November 2024.

While addressing the retired soldiers during the December protest, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who addressed the veterans had assured them that the issue would be brought to an end as soon as possible.

The Minister had also promised to pay them 50% of their demands as well as the minimum wage while other entitlements would be discussed.

“Our veterans that have served this nation so well, I salute you and I salute your steadfastness. I am not happy about the condition that has kept you here since morning and you are still here, it’s not a thing of joy and it doesn’t give us a feeling of contentment. I found it alarming, discomforting. It’s something I will like to bring to an end as soon as possible,” the Minister has said.

However, as a result of the failure of the government to fulfill its promises, the group returned to the streets on Tuesday and barricaded the entrance to the Ministry of Finance in Abuja with canopies and chairs.

The retirees claimed the government has failed to fulfill its promise, prompting the resumption of their protests. Part of their demands include 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.

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