The Defence Headquarters on Thursday ordered protesting retired soldiers to immediately vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, where they had converged to demand the payment of their outstanding entitlements.
The former soldiers, who voluntarily disengaged from service in 2024, had besieged the ministry earlier in the week, accusing the Federal Government of abandoning them despite their years of service to the nation.
Their protest, which disrupted activities at the ministry, prompted a swift reaction from the military high command.
Speaking on behalf of the Defence Headquarters, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, acknowledged the veterans’ right to peaceful demonstration but insisted that the gathering was obstructing official operations.
“While the Defence Headquarters acknowledges the right to legitimate protest, the veterans are strongly advised to tread with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance to allow government functions to continue seamlessly,” Kangye stated.
He further urged the ex-servicemen to pursue their grievances through appropriate channels, assuring that the military remains committed to protecting the integrity of the nation and supporting civil authority in maintaining law and order.
The protesting veterans, however, lamented what they described as “longstanding neglect” by the government, stressing that many of them have been unable to meet basic family needs due to the non-payment of their entitlements.
As of press time, it was unclear whether the Federal Government had opened discussions with the protesters or outlined any timeline for addressing their demands.
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