Military veterans under the umbrella of Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces and the Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans, on Monday, staged the third phase of their protests over the non-payment of their Security Debarment Allowance, among others, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The protesters in their scores blocked the access road to the Ministry of Defence located at Ship House on Olusegun Obasanjo Way which disrupted human and vehicular movements in the area
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Ambassador Roy Okhidievbie, who is the National Secretary, REMENAF, said that the demonstration was to demand the payment of their security debarment allowance owed them by the Federal Government.
He lamented that the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.) had refused to disburse the allowances despite approval by the Federal Government.
According to him, “We have had meetings with the Defence Minister, Magashi, but he appears to be headstrong, heartless, and unperturbed concerning the grievances of retired military officers, as he never paid nor showed any interest or concern to pay these allowances, especially the Security Debarment Allowance.
“Interestingly, President Buhari-led regime had approved the payment of this allowance, but Magashi has refused to make disbursements.”
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Also, the spokesperson for the CVV, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, stated that Monday’s protest was focused on the non-payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, adding that they were determined to sleep over at the entrance of the Ministry of Defence.
According to him, “We’re here, alongside our wives and children, and the widows of late military personnel and veterans who died in service, some of whom died fighting Boko Haram terrorists.
“We’ll be sleeping over at this place until the Minister of Defence, Magashi accede to our demands.”
A young woman, Anna Nanven, whose husband, a Corporal, was killed by Boko Haram terrorists during an attack on a military barracks in Borno State, in 2015, lamented that she had only received one allowance disbursement since she lost her husband
Mrs Nanven said: “My husband was a young man, a Corporal that was killed by Boko Haram terrorists during an attack on the barracks where he worked.
“I now live with his parents, and I bore five kids, three females and two males for him until his demise. The children are aged, 22, 20, 18, 15, and seven years old, and the two eldest, both girls, that are done with High School can’t afford to go to university because I can’t afford their school fees.
“I am pleading that the President, the Minister of Defence, and Nigerian citizens come to our aid. I and my five children are suffering and living in poverty because I can’t afford to start a business, and I have no job.”
The retired military men had in January this year, picketed the ministries of finance, defence, and the National Assembly earlier in, in pursuit of the same demand.
Frantic efforts to get an official reaction from the Ministry of Defence at the press time proved abortive as the minister was said to be attending to crucial official matters.
PenCom Okays 25% Withdrawal From Pension Funds As Equity Contribution For Mortgages
Retired soldiers protest in Abuja over non-payment of allowances
EDITORIAL: The NOI Poll On Insecurity
Retired soldiers protest in Abuja over non-payment of allowances
Midwives have been described as the most dedicated frontline health workers, humanitarians, and heroes—those who,…
The UK Home Office, in a statement on Monday, confirmed that the new centres—located at…
Armed men suspected to be bandits have attacked three villages in Gwana District of Alkaleri…
The National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing has strongly condemned Sandra Duru’s…
They urged President Tinubu to disregard the planned attack and continue supporting Matawalle’s efforts to…
“I am authorising the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to begin…
This website uses cookies.