Isiaka Ayole, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, has publicly challenged the N2.1 million gratuity awarded to him following his retirement from the Nigeria Police Force. According to a report by Punch, Ayole served for 34 years and nine months before retiring on June 13, 2026, upon reaching the age of 60. He expressed deep dissatisfaction with the final payout, stating that the amount was insufficient given his decades of service and the expectation of substantial financial support for his retirement.
Ayole revealed that he was informed of the gratuity amount at the police pension office in Eleyele. He stated that the low figure resulted from the omission of 24 months of pension contributions from his records. He noted that he was unaware of how these months were excluded, despite being posted to various locations across the country, including Lagos, Ondo, and Zamfara. He emphasized that refusing such postings could lead to disciplinary queries, leaving him with no choice but to comply.
The retired officer explained that he was directed to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System to address the discrepancy. He submitted a letter of complaint last month, requesting an explanation for the missing remittances. However, he reported that he has not yet received a response from the authorities. Ayole mentioned that he signed the necessary retirement documents only to avoid further delays in receiving his benefits, despite his surprise at the calculated amount.
Ayole has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the National Pension Commission to intervene in his case. He provided his identification number, 138918, and noted that he retired at Zone 2 in Onikan, Lagos State. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to review the welfare of police officers, arguing that those who dedicate their lives to the force should not be abandoned after retirement. He stated that he lacks the financial resources to pursue the matter further and relies on public attention to draw the authorities' attention to his plight.
His case highlights broader concerns among retired police officers regarding their welfare and the transparency of pension calculations. Ayole’s appeal underscores the need for accountability in the management of retirement benefits for civil servants in Nigeria. He remains hopeful that official intervention will resolve the discrepancy and ensure he receives the full entitlements due to him after his long service.