Retired soldiers protest unpaid entitlements at Ministry of Finance headquarters

Story by Victor Itodo ABUH

The Ministry of Finance in Abuja has been locked down by a group of retired military personnel in protest to demand the immediate payment of their outstanding entitlements.

The demonstration, organised by the Ex-Servicemen and Family Welfare Association, is to draw attention to the plight of retired soldiers who say they have been neglected by the government despite their years of service to the nation.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, Master Warrant Antonio Abbas, the retired president of the association, outlined their grievances.

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He said, “We are here to demand the payment of all our outstanding entitlements.

“Since last year, we’ve been promised palliatives, but not a kobo has been paid to us. Issues such as the 20-point stroke, 28% minimum wage adjustment, and 32% flat rate increment remain unaddressed. We will not leave here until our demands are met,” he said.

The consequences of these unresolved issues have been devastating for the retired soldiers and their families, said Abbas.

He revealed that two members of the association had died recently due to a lack of funds to afford medical treatment. “It’s unfortunate that after serving this country to unite and defend it, we are left to suffer,” he said.

The protesters are demanding immediate action from the Ministry of Finance and the federal government, with a specific focus on the disbursement of their funds. “We need alerts. Let us get our money. That’s all we want,” Abbas emphasized.

Despite previous promises from the government, the retirees said they have seen no tangible results.

“Other civilian pensioners have been paid; what stops them from paying military pensioners?” Abbas questioned.

The retired soldiers have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.

When asked if the protest also addresses the welfare of soldiers still in active service, Abbas clarified that their focus is solely on retired personnel.

“This activity is just for the retired soldiers,” he affirmed.

As the protest continues, there has been no official response from the Ministry of Finance, yet the retirees remain resolute, vowing to stay at the ministry until their grievances are addressed.

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