Discontent and desperation echoed through the streets of Abuja on Monday as hundreds of retired soldiers—voluntarily discharged in early 2023—barricaded the Federal Ministry of Finance, demanding immediate settlement of outstanding entitlements and Security Debarment Allowance (SDA).
Corporal Eze Moses, retired, said they were fighting for their entitlements.
Staff-Sergeant Simeon David said they had been short-paid for some time now.
Instead of calculating it well with the new rate, they used the old rate.
Corporal Umar Umar said that the Military Pensions Board informed them they were not entitled to the new national minimum wage adjustments, citing their disengagement date of July 1, 2024, as the reason.
Reacting to the demands of the soldiers, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, assured them that the government would look into their needs.
