Security operatives comprising military and police personnel on Wednesday barricaded the Ministry of Defence in Abuja to prevent retired military personnel from assembling for a planned protest over the delayed implementation of consequential pension adjustments.
The ex-servicemen, who had planned to converge in front of the ministry, were stopped from gathering at the location as security personnel were deployed to the area.
The retirees are demanding the implementation of pension adjustments arising from salary increases approved for serving military personnel, arguing that the corresponding adjustments should also reflect in the pensions of retired personnel.
The development followed an earlier confrontation between serving soldiers and the retired personnel after security operatives attempted to prevent the veterans from staging their protest at the ministry.
The latest development is coming against the backdrop of repeated agitations by military retirees over unpaid pensions, allowances and other entitlements.