Some retired military men have formed a coalition to demand the prompt payment of their pension and gratuity. The Coalition of Concerned Veterans has issued a threat to embark on a protest in Abuja to draw attention of government to the plight of the retirees. They are complaining of the non-payment of their pension. The veterans are from various pressure groups across the country within military retirees. The protest, they said, had become necessary because of high cost of living caused by the current economic recession. The spokesman for the group, Mr. Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to bring the veterans back on the pension payroll of the Nigerian Armed Forces. “We are not unaware of the dwindling economic fortunes of the country and the far reaching effect in addressing numerous challenges in a country like ours. “However, the welfare and wellbeing of military veterans is a top priority because of their sacrifice in nation building and sustainable democracy . “Therefore, if democracy must continue to thrive, concerted efforts by government must be geared towards not sending wrong signals to those still serving and would soon join us.’’ He said that doing otherwise would definitely dampen their morale towards their primary responsibility of protecting territorial integrity of our country on land, sea and air. “We the retired, remain their beacon of hope,” he said. Durowaiye-Herberts said many of veterans served up to 10 years in active capacity, either retired by military or left service voluntarily. He said that they were not catered for in the present military pension policy, but lamented that their Biafran comrades were taken care of. He, however, acknowledge the efforts of the President Buhari in addressing the plight of the veterans. “We also commend the efforts of the Minister of Defense and Chief of Defense Staff as well as management of military pension boards for organising an interactive session, where stakeholders bare the minds,” he added.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned Ms. Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, urging her to “prevail on the Nigerian authorities to halt further killings of innocent citizens in Southern Kaduna.” The group also demanded investigation into recent alleged killing of over 800 citizens, mostly women, children and the elderly in that part of the country by suspected herdsmen, and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims. The organization also asked Ms. Callamard to “request to visit Nigeria to conduct fact-finding mission into the circumstances surrounding the killings.” In the petition dated 30th December, 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organization expressed “concern that the killings of citizens in Southern Kaduna of Nigeria amount to serious violations of the rights to life; to security of the human person; to ...
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