Ex-Policeman Threatens to Join Boko Haram Over Pension Grievances

A retired Nigerian police officer has caused concern after publicly threatening to join the militant group Boko Haram, citing unresolved issues with his pension. His remarks have drawn attention to growing frustration among former security personnel over poor welfare conditions.

In a widely circulated statement, the ex-officer warned that he would take drastic action if his situation is not addressed.

“If nothing is done about this, I’ll go to the other side and I’ll join Boko Haram. I’ll be helping them fix their guns and training them,” he said.

The comment reflects deep dissatisfaction among some retired officers, who have repeatedly complained about delayed payments, inadequate benefits, and neglect after years of service. The former policeman went on to describe his pension situation as “slavery,” stressing the severity of his frustration.

His threat has drawn reactions from the public, with many expressing concern over the potential security risks, particularly given the individual’s prior training and experience.

The incident comes amid ongoing disputes over pension arrangements for retired police officers. In September 2025, retired officers besieged the National Assembly in Abuja, describing the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as a fraudulent system designed to keep them in poverty. They demanded that the federal government remove the Nigeria Police Force from the CPS, which they labelled “the latest 419” – a local term for fraud.

Shortly after, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill establishing a separate pension board for the police. The legislation, earlier approved by the House of Representatives, received concurrence from the upper chamber.

In December 2025, Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured retired officers protesting at the National Assembly gate that they would be exited from the contributory pension scheme. He promised a speedy hearing and concurrence with the House, which had already passed the bill.

However, as of the time of this report, publicly available information indicates that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not yet assented to the bill. Consequently, the proposed removal of the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme has not been enacted into law.