“35 Years for ₦2.8M?”: Retired Police SP in Edo Sparks Outrage Over ‘Insulting’ Gratuity

A video showing a visibly frustrated Superintendent of Police (SP) from Edo State Command, who retired on July 1, 2024, has gone viral — and not for the reasons befitting a 35-year veteran of Nigeria’s security forces.

The former officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, is heard lamenting a retirement gratuity of just ₦2.87 million and a monthly pension of ₦706,915, calling the sum a "betrayal" after decades on the frontlines of law enforcement.

His outcry is not an isolated case — it’s a crack in a dam that’s been swelling for years.

Across Nigeria, retired police officers have been protesting, particularly in Abuja, over what they describe as paltry and inconsistent pension payouts. Some of their comrades have reportedly received as little as ₦1.4 million in total gratuity and monthly pensions as low as ₦22,000, figures that mock the danger, duty, and discipline demanded by the job. Their frustration reflects a wider rot within the Nigeria Police Force’s contributory pension scheme, which critics say lacks fairness, transparency, and compassion.

While the embattled pension scheme covers rank-and-file officers, it notably excludes senior officers like the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who continue to benefit from a separate, better-structured retirement package. This divide has only intensified calls for systemic pension reform, as junior and mid-ranking officers are left feeling discarded after retirement — often with no housing, no medical coverage, and no real plan for life after service.

The SP's experience, shared with a pained expression and quivering voice, has now become a lightning rod for a nationwide debate on dignity in retirement. “What do you want me to do with ₦2.8 million after 35 years? What do I fall back on? Rent? Medicals? Food? School fees for grandchildren?” he asked rhetorically in the video, a question now echoed across social media with hashtags like #ReformPolicePensions and #JusticeForRetirees trending on X (formerly Twitter).

Experts and advocates argue that the disparity between police responsibilities and retirement compensation is contributing to a morale crisis within the force. Younger officers, aware of the bleak end that awaits them, often feel disincentivized, potentially fueling corruption, absenteeism, and a lack of commitment to service. The Nigeria Police Force, despite being one of Africa's largest, still struggles with inadequate equipment, delayed promotions, and inconsistent welfare — a situation worsened by the retirement anxiety now catching fire in the public domain.

Policymakers are yet to offer a comprehensive solution. While the Police Pension Reform Bill has been sitting in legislative limbo, no tangible moves have been made to overhaul the system or equalize retirement benefits across ranks.

For now, the voice of the Edo SP — raw, real, and reflective of countless unspoken stories — remains a symbol of what many call the nation’s broken covenant with its protectors.

“I didn’t expect to be rich,” he says, voice cracking in the final seconds of the video, “but I expected to be respected.”

Watch the video below

Busterblog.com will continue to track developments as the call for pension justice intensifies nationwide.