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Retired military personnel on Tuesday barricaded the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, to protest against the formula adopted for calculating adjustments to their pensions.
The protesting veterans blocked access to the premises with canopies and chairs, while armed soldiers prevented them from entering the facility.
The demonstration followed growing dissatisfaction among retired military personnel over the implementation of pension increases linked to recent salary adjustments for serving military officers.
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had earlier assured the retirees that their pensions would be increased in October following the salary adjustments approved for serving personnel.
However, the veterans accused the Military Pensions Board of adopting a computation formula that they alleged had short-changed some pensioners by failing to adequately reflect the approved adjustments.
Coordinator of the Veterans Association of Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Azubike, said the protest was driven by mounting frustration over disparities in pension payments and concerns about how the revised rates were being calculated.
The retirees are demanding a fair and transparent review of the pension adjustment formula to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive their rightful entitlements.
The latest demonstration comes weeks after military retirees protested at the Ministry of Defence in September, calling for improved pensions following the salary increases granted to serving military personnel.
The dispute has continued despite assurances from the authorities that the revised pension rates and applicable arrears were being implemented.
The protest underscores the growing tension between retired military personnel and the relevant authorities over pension computation and the implementation of approved adjustments.
