Retired soldiers under the group of Coalition of Concerned Veterans (CCV) had carried out two days protest over non-payment of the 20% and 28% increment for 11 months in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the release of funds for the payment of pension arrears, salary increases, and other entitlements owed to retired military personnel, after a peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance by military veterans.
Retired soldiers under the group of Coalition of Concerned Veterans (CCV) had carried out two days protest over non-payment of the 20% and 28% increment for 11 months in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The ex-Soldiers had said they would not leave the Federal Ministry of Finance gate except they saw credit alerts, as they stayed up all night.
SaharaReporters had also reported that the ex-servicemen who shut down activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance with music, displayed banners and carried different placards and inscriptions on Wednesday.
However, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, on Friday announced that President Tinubu had ordered the release of funds for the payment of all entitlements owed to retired military personnel.
Matawalle who expressed gratitude to the President for his swift intervention, also commended Tinubu for ensuring the prompt payment of the three-month salary increase and the release of funds for the settlement of pension arrears and other owed entitlements to retired military personnel.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, the minister confirmed that payment alerts for the salary increases had already been received by military personnel.
Matawalle also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, for his dedication to ensuring the successful disbursement of the funds.
He urged the Nigerian military to remain steadfast in their duties, reassuring them of the President’s resolve to boost morale and provide necessary support to address insecurity across the country.
Among other demands by the retired military officers are the non-payment of their palliatives and its arrears from October 2023 to November 2024.
The protesters also highlighted others as bulk SDA payments with new template regardless of retirement year, VFN bill to be reviewed and passed in line with global best practice and many others.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who addressed the veterans on Wednesday night said the issue would be brought to an end as soon as possible.
The Minister promised to pay them 50% of our 20/28 and 320000, minimum wage. While other entitlement will be discuss on Thursday morning.