Nigerians have been left heartbroken and outraged after an emotional video of a retired police officer rejecting a ₦2 million gratuity went viral. The officer, who served the country faithfully for 35 years, described the payment as an “insult,” sparking nationwide calls for justice and pension reform.
Now, in what seems like a mix of damage control and suppression, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered a gag directive to all police commands, instructing officers to remain silent and not speak publicly on the matter.
In the now-viral clip, a retired Superintendent of Police (SP) can be seen visibly distressed, rejecting his gratuity in front of a crowd. “I cannot serve this country for 35 good years and be paid just two million naira,” he lamented. “Let the Inspector-General hear this. I reject this money—it is unfair.” According to the retired officer, the total package he received was ₦3 million—₦1 million in arrears and ₦2 million as a send-off after decades of service. His story resonated with thousands of Nigerians who flooded social media with sympathy and rage.
In response to the uproar, a confidential police wireless message obtained by SaharaReporters revealed that the IGP had ordered a “discreet investigation” into the retired SP’s claims. The internal communication, titled CH:8475/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.14/23 X PENSION SCHEME, acknowledged the issue and promised that findings from the probe would be made public. It also admitted that the dissatisfaction over pension payments among police retirees was a systemic crisis.
But the IGP’s next move raised eyebrows. Rather than solely focusing on reforms or empathy, the IGP went a step further—ordering Commissioners of Police and senior officers nationwide to shut down any further public criticism of the Force. Officers were directed to “refrain from making unguided public statements” and to maintain discipline and professionalism. They were also told to incorporate the pension matter into internal lectures and to keep local retirees “in the loop.”
This attempt to silence internal voices has sparked criticism from civil society, former officers, and Nigerians who argue that gagging officers won’t fix the broken pension system.
The retired SP’s case is sadly not unique. Earlier this year, Esther Marcos, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, shared her painful story of receiving just ₦1.7 million as gratuity—also after 35 years of service. That payment came more than a year after she retired, with her monthly pension trickling in months later at ₦40,000 per month.
For over a decade, retired police officers have cried out against the contributory pension scheme, labeling it unjust and exploitative. Despite several promises from past administrations, nothing concrete has changed.
While the IGP’s investigation may signal some level of concern, many Nigerians believe that public statements and confidential memos will do little to change the lives of thousands of retirees suffering in silence.
True change, they argue, will require legislative reform of the police pension structure, immediate review of the contributory pension scheme, fair and timely payments of gratuity and pensions, and perhaps most importantly, listening to the voices of those who served and sacrificed.
Until then, critics say, even more officers will join the long list of pensioners whose loyalty was met with neglect, and whose tears continue to fall on deaf ears.
