Despite the downpour in Abuja in the early hours of Monday, Military veterans under the aegis of the Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF) and the Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans (CCMV), has taken over the entrance of the Ministry of Defense over the non-payment of their Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), among others.
The protesters defied the rain, pitched a tent and blocked access to the Ministry of Defence in the nation’s capital city.
Recalling, the aggrieved retired military men had in January 2022, protest at the ministries of finance, defence, and the National Assembly to express the same grievances.
While expressing concerns about why the serving officers have gotten their own allowance without paying the retired personnel, the National Secretary, REMENAF, Ambassador Roy Okhidievbie, accused the Minister of Defense, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) of the refusal to commence disbursement of the SDA despite the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Addressing the retired personnel, the Director of General Service, Tolulope Mustapha, stated that the allowances have been approved, and she appealed to them to write a letter of reminder to the ministry for it to be channelled to the right quarters for an effective response within 2 weeks.
Also, Major General L.A Fejokwu appealed to the veterans to rescind their decision of staying in the rain till the Minister comes to address the matter.
While refusing to write a letter of reminder to the ministry, the veterans in their response stated they will only vacate the premises if a letter is written to them in line with their responses.
