Abdul Isiak: We Suffered Unfairly for Nigeria

Former military chiefs General Christopher Musa, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are set to receive substantial retirement packages following their replacement by President Bola Tinubu. This change in leadership is part of the administration’s ongoing effort to strengthen national security, according to presidential aide Sunday Dare.

The benefits are outlined in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel, which the President signed in December 2024. The generous retirement benefits for the former service chiefs include a bulletproof SUV, replaced every four years, and a backup Peugeot 508. They are also entitled to five domestic aides, personal security staff, three drivers, and a standard guard unit of nine soldiers.

Additional entitlements include comprehensive free medical care, both within Nigeria and abroad. The retired officers may also retain their personal firearms, which will be retrieved upon their death. However, a key condition states that these generous retirement benefits are only applicable if the individuals do not accept any new position funded by public resources, unless the role is a direct appointment by the President.

Contrasting Fortunes for Retired Personnel

While top brass receives these substantial packages, the situation appears different for lower-ranking retirees. A retired soldier, Abdul Isiak, lamented that many former junior officers are still waiting for their promised entitlements. He expressed deep frustration over the disparity in treatment.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

“All you said they would give to them would be done promptly, and they are more than what we need to sustain our lives. This is very unfair,” Isiak stated. He highlighted the struggles faced by many retired junior personnel, questioning why their service has been overlooked. The former sergeant confirmed that they are preparing for another protest to demand payment, describing the ongoing neglect as a profound injustice.