By Hosea Parah, Abuja
A delegation of retired senior police officers has requested for immediate action regarding their declining retirement conditions. A delegation led by former Deputy Inspector General Maigari Dikko, met with the Police Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday, the group, comprised of members from the Police College Ikeja’s 1986 Cadet ASP Course 14, expressed their concerns while also congratulating DIG Taiwo Lakanu on his recent appointment as commissioner.
During the meeting, the retired officers raised significant issues, particularly highlighting the inadequacy of their pensions. They noted that retired Commissioners of Police receive approximately N73,000 monthly, in stark contrast to their military counterparts who earn over N300,000. This disparity was described as a serious concern, with the officers warning that neglecting these inequalities could threaten national security.
The delegation also criticized the current deployment of police officers, arguing that many are assigned to private security roles rather than public safety duties. They urged the federal government to reallocate these officers to enhance community safety and maintain a strong police presence.
DIG Hashimu Argungu, PSC Chairman, along with DIG Lakanu, assured the retired officers of the Commission’s commitment to restoring the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force. Argungu announced plans to involve some retired officers in the Commission’s Quality Assurance Unit to utilize their expertise in improving personnel management.
Additionally, he promised initiatives to facilitate the recruitment of retired officers’ children into the police force through established pathways.
DIG Lakanu emphasized the importance of the retired officers’ contributions to nation-building and reaffirmed a commitment to improving their retirement benefits.
The delegation included prominent figures such as DIG Abdulmajid Ali, AIG U.U. Shehu Ambursa, and AIG Alapini, all united in their call for better conditions for retired police personnel.