Aggrieved military veterans threaten showdown - Storms CONFAB

MILITARY pensioners under the auspices of Coalition of Aggrieved Nigerian Military Veterans, on Wednesday, stormed the venue of the ongoing national conference to vent their anger against the Federal Government.

The retired military officers were at the conference to protest the refusal of the Federal Government to pay them the 53.37 per cent pension review arrears and neglect of the ex-service men.

Comrade Gabriel Oaikhehena, Chairman, Ibadan branch of the Coalition told newsmen that the pensioners were angry at the government’s neglect and refusal to their entitlements.

They warned that government should not pretend to be unaware of the seed it may be sowing “by meting out such treatment to the nation’s veterans”.
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The aggrieved ex-servicemen, most of them in their 70ths and 80ths, carried placards with different inscriptions, “we demand the harmonisation of military pension based on the consolidated armed forces military structures of 2010 and 2011”, “we are being deceived annually by promises without implementation”, Enough is enough,” “Fallen heroes are remembered but the surviving ones are forgotten”, “our children are out of school”, among others.

Speaking with newsmen at the main entrance of the NJI on Wednesday, Chairman of Ibadan branch of the coalition, Comrade Gabriel Oaikhehena, said Nigerian government has kept them in pains since they left service.

Recounting the ordeal of the military pensioners,  Oaikhehena said many of their members had died in penury because they could not afford to take care of themselves and family.

Tribune