Retired military officers shut finance ministry over illegal deductions

Retired military officers on the platform of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans (CCV) yesterday shut down the Federal Ministry of Finance to demand end to illegal deduction of 20.37 per cent from their pensions.

They also demanded the review of their pensions, which they said, was long overdue since July 2015 and should be based on the initial 53.37 per cent.

The ex-military officers barricaded the main entrance of the ministry as early as 8am, denying staff and visitors access to their offices for their official duties and other transactions.

Spokesman of the veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, told journalists that they will not continue to accept excuses, while their members are being buried daily due to lack of funds to treat themselves of their old age ailments.

They, however, vowed to continue to occupy the premises of the ministry until the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, who was said to be attending the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, meet their requests.

A similar protest was held in 2015 under former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for the same reasons.