Retired DSP Laments N1.7m Gratuity, N40,000 Pension After 35 Years of Service – De Parrot Media
Abuja, Nigeria – Esther Marcus, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from the Nigeria Police Force, has decried what she describes as grossly inadequate compensation after 35 years of service. In a viral video, Ms. Marcus revealed receiving a paltry N1.7 million as gratuity and a monthly pension of N40,000 upon retirement in 2018.
Ms. Marcus, who claims to have joined the force before turning 16, expressed deep frustration with the contributory pension scheme, labeling it "dirty." She highlighted the disparity between her compensation and the years dedicated to her service. "After serving for 35 years… I was given N1.7 million… then N40,000 as my monthly pension," she stated. She emphasized that this situation reflects the plight of many retired police officers under the same scheme.
Despite multiple public hearings and appeals to the Federal Government, Ms. Marcus asserts that their pleas have been largely ignored. She pointed out the perceived preferential treatment afforded to higher-ranking officers, claiming that Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), and the Inspector General (IG) are exempt from the contributory pension scheme. "They only left the Commissioners of Police downwards; they are the ones suffering it," she said.
The retired DSP also voiced concerns about the impact of this inadequate compensation on the integrity of the police force. She argued that the current system incentivizes corruption, stating, "You want the police… knowing fully well that when they retire, they are going into hell; you want them to stop corruption? They will continue collecting. They will continue extorting."
Ms. Marcus vowed that retired police officers will continue their fight for justice, even threatening to occupy the National Assembly and seek international media coverage to amplify their plight. She characterized those opposing their cause as "vultures," waiting to profit from the suffering of retired officers. The fight, she declared, is far from over. The retired DSP’s powerful testimony highlights a critical issue within the Nigerian Police Force, raising questions about fairness, equity, and the long-term consequences of the current pension system.