Unpaid arrears: Military retirees protest, barricade Finance Ministry entrance in Abuja

By Matthew Denis

A dramatic scene played out on Tuesday as some retired military personnel barricaded the entrance to the Ministry of Finance in Abuja with canopies and chairs, demanding the full payment of their long-overdue entitlements thereby preventing the Coordinating Minister of the economy, Wale Edun to have access to his office.

The retirees erected canopies and placed chairs to block the gate, effectively preventing staff from driving into the premises, forcing many to park their vehicles outside.

This protest follows a similar action in December, during which the retirees shut down the ministry over the government’s failure to settle their claims.

For months, the retirees were told there were no funds to clear their entitlements, despite an official approval for payment. They are owed a 20% to 28% salary increment covering January to November 2024.

The retirees are also demanding payments for other outstanding benefits, including: Palliatives for the period between October 2023 and November 2024, an additional N32,000 added to their pensions, a bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance and a refund of pension deductions from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers.

In response to their December protests, the federal government paid 50% of the owed entitlements and promised to settle the balance.

However, the retirees said the government has failed to fulfill its promise, prompting the resumption of their protests.