A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Esther Marcus, has spoken out against what she describes as the “grossly unfair contributory pension scheme” for officers of the Nigeria Police Force. Her revelations, shared in a viral video, have reignited debates about the welfare of retired police personnel.
Marcus, who retired in 2018 after serving for 35 years, disclosed receiving N1.7 million as gratuity and a monthly pension of N40,000, payments she considers inadequate for her years of service. She joined the force as a teenager and now faces what she termed “financial injustice” in retirement.
Speaking passionately, she described her plight:
“After serving for 35 years, I waited for over a year to receive just N1.7 million as my gratuity. Three months later, my pension started at N40,000 monthly. This scheme is a betrayal of every police officer who has given their life to this service.”
Calls for Reform
Marcus lamented the Federal Government’s inaction despite multiple public hearings on police pension issues. She noted the disparity between the treatment of police retirees and other security agencies, including the military and DSS, whose retirees are not subjected to public hearings or similar schemes.
“The AIGs, DIGs, and IGs have exempted themselves from this dirty contributory pension scheme,” she alleged. “They left only officers from Commissioners downwards to endure this suffering.”
She further highlighted the harsh reality for lower-ranking officers, many of whom receive pensions as low as N28,000 monthly, questioning how they are expected to survive under such conditions.
Corruption and Survival
Marcus argued that the poor post-retirement benefits for police officers contribute to corrupt practices within the force.
“How do you expect police officers to stop corruption when they know retirement means financial ruin? They will continue to extort and enrich themselves because they know what awaits them.”
Persistent Advocacy
Marcus vowed to continue fighting for the rights of police retirees, emphasizing the need for fair treatment and justice. She called for direct action, including protests at the National Assembly, to draw attention to their plight.
“We will never stop fighting because those coming after us deserve better. This is pure injustice, and it must end,” she declared.
A Plea for Change
The retired officer urged the government to exempt the police force from the contributory pension scheme, citing it as detrimental to the morale and integrity of officers.
“Anyone who opposes reform is like a vulture, waiting for victims to perish before feeding,” she stated, underscoring the urgency of addressing the welfare of police retirees.
Her candid remarks have sparked widespread discussions about the need for systemic reform to ensure fair treatment for officers who dedicate their lives to public service.
