Retired military personnel on Wednesday suspended their planned protest after the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), assured them that the Federal Government would address their demands over pension adjustments and other welfare concerns.
The decision followed a meeting between representatives of the protesting ex-servicemen and officials of the Ministry of Defence at Ship House, Abuja.
One of the leaders of the protesters, Col Innocent Azubike (retd.), said the authorities had acknowledged that their demands were genuine and commenced steps towards addressing the issues.
The Minister of Defence, who was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah, assured the veterans that the government was committed to addressing their welfare, remuneration and pension concerns.
The minister also appealed to the protesters to remain calm and embrace dialogue, stressing that any adjustment to veterans’ entitlements must be properly computed, adequately funded and implemented in line with existing approvals and regulations.
Musa further assured the veterans that the ministry would continue to engage their representatives and provide updates as progress was made on their demands.
The protest had earlier been disrupted by a heavy deployment of soldiers and policemen around the Ministry of Defence.