By Erewunmi Peace

Retired and discharged Nigerian soldiers have resumed protests in Abuja, demanding the payment of long-overdue entitlements and pension arrears.

The ex-servicemen, who converged on the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance, said the government had failed to fulfill promises made to them after they suspended a similar protest in early August.

According to the protesters, several assurances from the Ministries of Defence and Finance that their benefits would be settled within weeks have not been honoured, leaving many of them and their families in hardship.

“We have served this country with our blood, yet after retirement we are left to suffer. Government gave us promises but nothing has been paid,” one of the protesting ex-soldiers lamented.

Reports indicate that security operatives were deployed to monitor the demonstration, while the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) ordered the protesters to vacate the Ministry of Finance premises, citing disruption of official activities.

This is not the first time retired soldiers have taken to the streets over unpaid entitlements. Similar protests have been staged in recent years, raising concerns about the welfare of Nigeria’s veterans and the government’s handling of military pensions.

The ex-servicemen vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met, stressing that many of their colleagues have died without receiving their benefits.