Tight Security as Military Veterans Protest at Defence Ministry

Author: Gist Correspondent

Security was heightened at the Federal Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday as retired military personnel staged a protest over the non-implementation of pension adjustments following the recent salary increase for serving personnel.

The protesters, under the umbrella of the Military Veterans Association of Nigeria and led by retired Colonel Azubuike Nas, demanded that the Federal Government extend the consequential pension adjustment to retired personnel.

They argued that having served the country for over three decades, they should not be excluded from the benefits of the new military salary structure approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The President recently approved a new salary scale for serving members of the Armed Forces as part of efforts to boost morale and enhance operational effectiveness across various theatres of operation.

In response to the protest, security agencies deployed personnel to the Ministry of Defence and surrounding areas to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

The security presence included officers and personnel from the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and other agencies.

Armed soldiers were also stationed at the Defence Headquarters and major access roads leading to the complex.

The heavy deployment resulted in traffic congestion around parts of the city centre as commuters experienced delays.

The protesting veterans insisted that the government should urgently address their demands, maintaining that retired personnel deserve pension adjustments that reflect the new salary structure for serving military officers.