In a speedy response to protests by retired military personnel, the Federal Government has begun payment of pensions and other entitlements, including a backlog of their three months’ arrears for the retirees.
Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle said in a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike.
Persecondnews reported that retired military personnel staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Thursday, grounding activities and occupying the premises with canopies, mats, and plastic chairs, as they demanded payment of their long-overdue entitlements.
They accused the federal government of withholding a 20% to 28% salary increment owed to them from January to November 2024.
The retirees demanded several entitlements, including owed palliative payments from October 2023 to November 2024, a pension increment of N32,000, a bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and a refund of deductions made from the pensions of medically boarded soldiers.
Retired Col. Innocent Azubuike, leader of the retired military personnel, expressed concerns over the struggles of military pensioners, highlighting how the non-payment of their entitlements has caused immense suffering.
Azubuike revealed that despite earlier promises to settle their entitlements in November, the retirees were later told that the payments could not be made due to insufficient funds.
He said: “We were told approval has been secured for the payment of our entitlements. The only thing remaining is cash backing.
“We were told to exercise patience and assured that our long-unpaid entitlements would be settled in November. November is gone, and there is no indication of when this will happen because it’s a matter with the FMoF and not the Ministry of Defence.”
They have made similar protests in January 2022 at the ministries of finance, defence, and the National Assembly, demanding the payment of their entitlements, an issue that remains unresolved.
Reacting to the protest, Matawalle announced that the government has initiated payment of military salary increases, with personnel already receiving payment alerts.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to enhancing the living standards of retired military personnel.
Matawalle also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, for his efforts and support in actualizing the payments.
The minister urged the Nigerian military to remain steadfast in their duties, reassuring them that the president is committed to boosting their morale and providing necessary support to combat insecurity in Nigeria.
Part of the statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu released funds for the payment of pensions and other entitlements owed to retired military personnel on Thursday.
“In spite of initial setbacks, be rest assured that Mr. President will do everything within his power to uplift our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity.”
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