* Retired CSP Lawal Zaria Elected National Coordinator By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna The National Union of Retired Police Officers under the...
*Retired CSP Lawal Zaria Elected National Coordinator
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The National Union of Retired Police Officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has elected a new National Coordinator, Retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Mannir M. Lawal Zaria, following the voluntary resignation of its former leader, Retired Superintendent of Police (SP) Chris Effiong.
The decision was reached during an emergency virtual meeting held on April 3, 2026, where Retired CSP Lawal Zaria, who also serves as Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter, emerged as National Coordinator through an election conducted by members.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator and Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter, Retired CSP Mannir M. Lawal Zaria; the National Legal Adviser, Retired DSP Barrister Ofem Mbang; and the National Secretary, Retired ASP Elnathan Jared, and made available to journalists in Kaduna.
In his acceptance remarks, Retired CSP Lawal Zaria commended his predecessor for his nine years of dedicated service to the union and pledged to build on the achievements recorded during his tenure.
The new National Coordinator, however, expressed concern over the continued delay in addressing the welfare of retired police officers under the CPS. He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently sign the Nigeria Police Exit Bill, noting that its passage would help alleviate the hardship faced by retirees.
He warned that failure to act could lead to a peaceful protest scheduled to take place at the Presidential Villa on April 20, 2026.
Retired CSP Lawal Zaria said he would lead a “do-or-die” peaceful protest to the Villa on April 20 if the bill is not signed, urging all affected retirees to participate. He stressed that the protest could also be extended to offices of Pension Fund Administrators across the country if outstanding payments are not made.
He further called on Pension Fund Administrators to immediately release all outstanding pension arrears owed to retired police officers.
The National Coordinator decried the situation in which retirees are subjected to multiple verification processes—including the submission of National Identification Numbers (NIN), Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), bank statements, next-of-kin certificates, and other legal documents—yet remain unpaid.
According to him, the continued delay in settling these arrears is unacceptable, stressing that retirees deserve timely access to their entitlements after years of service to the nation.
He urged all affected members to remain united and pursue their demands through lawful means, emphasising that the planned protest would remain peaceful.
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