Retired military officers protest non-payment of allowance by Buhari regime
Retired military officers on Monday protested the non-payment of their allowance by the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The protestors, under the aegis of Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces and the Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans, stormed the Ministry of Defence, blocking the entrance of the building with anti-government songs.
The retired military officers had picketed the office of the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, for refusing to pay their Security Debarment Allowance.
“We have had meetings with the Defence Minister, Magashi, but he appears to be headstrong, heartless, and unperturbed concerning the grievances of retired military officers, as he never paid nor showed any interest or concern to pay these allowances, especially the Security Debarment Allowance.
“Interestingly, President Buhari-led regime has approved the payment of this allowance, but Magashi have refused to make disbursements,” Roy Okhidievbie, spokesperson for the retired military officers told journalists in Abuja.
The protesters were also joined by children and widows of late military officers who died in service fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east.
Peoples Gazette could not immediately get comments from the Ministry of Defence in relation to the protest and the accusation by the military retirees.
The military retirees on January 5, 2022, also protested the non-payment of their security allowance at the Ministries of Finance and the National Assembly.
During the period, they vowed to disrupt the celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15 but later suspended the protest following the intervention of Mr Magashi.
In May 2022, the defence ministry, through the permanent secretary, Ibrahim Kana, announced to journalists at a function in Abuja that President Buhari had approved the payment of debarment allowance for retired military personnel.
“Recently, the President unanimously approved the debarment allowance for all veterans. For the veterans, I think better days are ahead,” the ministry said.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Mutfwang hails Tinubu for approving dualisation of Plateau-Taraba road
Mr Mutfwang particularly thanked Mr Yilwatda for his strategic engagement and commitment to the development of Plateau State at all times.
NationWide
Obi thanks God @65, donates ₦10 million to rural hospital in Anambra community
Mr Obi expressed gratitude to God and renewed commitment to the service of humanity.
States
Firearm, phone recovered as police nab four suspected kidnappers in Anambra
The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant.
Heading 3
Spain lift 2026 World Cup after beating Messi’s Argentina
The defeat meant that Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammates failed to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles in 64 years.
States
Fire service rescues man trapped under collapsed Kano wall
The PRO said that the victim was rescued alive and conveyed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano State.
Heading 1
Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu for 2027 Ogun governorship race
Mr Adebutu accused successive administrations of denying local governments the financial independence needed to drive development.
