HURIWA Condemns Blocking of Retired Soldiers’ Protest, Demands Dialogue

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the reported deployment of armed police officers and soldiers to prevent retired military personnel from peacefully protesting at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.

The rights group described the alleged action as unacceptable and provocative, arguing that former military personnel should not be treated as security threats simply because they are demanding answers over pension and welfare concerns.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Wednesday, HURIWA urged the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to investigate the incident and establish a clear channel through which representatives of the retirees can engage with his office.

HURIWA said it was particularly troubling that men and women who spent their productive years defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity could allegedly be confronted by security personnel when attempting to draw the government’s attention to unresolved welfare issues.

The organisation also questioned whether the Defence Minister authorised or was aware of the reported deployment and treatment of the protesters.

HURIWA said the government must distinguish between maintaining public order and suppressing legitimate grievances.

The group argued that preventing retired military personnel from accessing the ministry without providing an alternative avenue for dialogue could unnecessarily escalate what should be a welfare dispute into a confrontation between citizens and the state.

It called on Musa to invite representatives of the retirees, listen to their complaints and establish a clear mechanism and timeline for addressing outstanding demands.

HURIWA also expressed doubt that the Defence Minister personally ordered the reported blockade, citing Musa’s previous advocacy for improved remuneration for serving military personnel.

The group noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved an increase in military salaries, describing the development as evidence of the administration’s support for serving personnel.

According to HURIWA, recurring protests by military retirees over pension adjustments, delayed benefits and post-retirement compensation demonstrate the need for a permanent solution.

The organisation said successive administrations had failed to completely resolve the issues and warned that continued neglect could undermine confidence among serving personnel.

“Those who defended Nigeria must not be forced to fight Nigeria before they can be heard,” HURIWA said.

The group called for the development of a comprehensive post-service welfare policy involving the Defence Ministry, relevant government agencies, financial institutions and credible private-sector organisations.

It said such a framework should provide opportunities for retired military personnel through entrepreneurship programmes, vocational retraining, access to finance, agriculture, consultancy and technical employment.

HURIWA further urged the military authorities to begin preparing personnel for life after active service before they retire.

It argued that soldiers should have access to vocational, technical and entrepreneurial training to help them transition into civilian life after their military careers.

HURIWA said the welfare of retired military personnel should be treated as a national security concern, arguing that the government’s treatment of veterans sends an important message to serving troops.

“A soldier fighting terrorism today must have confidence that the country he is defending will remember him tomorrow,” the group said.

It consequently called for an urgent review of military pension arrangements, consequential adjustments, gratuities and other post-service benefits.

The rights group also demanded transparent engagement between retirees and relevant government agencies, including clearly defined deadlines for resolving outstanding issues.

The organisation appealed to the protesting retirees to remain peaceful and law-abiding while insisting that peaceful protest should not be criminalised.

HURIWA urged the Defence Minister to personally intervene and prevent bureaucratic delays from worsening the frustration among retired military personnel.

The group said the government should immediately commence consultations with the retirees and relevant institutions with the aim of finding a lasting solution to their grievances.

“Nigeria cannot celebrate its soldiers when they are useful and abandon them when they become vulnerable. The men and women who defended this country deserve dignity in service and dignity in retirement,” HURIWA said.