Retired officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kogi have urged the Federal Government to urgently address poor retirement benefits and prolonged delays in gratuity payments.

The appeal was made during the official inauguration of the pioneer executives of the Retired Correctional Officers Association, Kogi chapter, on Thursday in Lokoja.

In his inaugural address, the pioneer Chairman of the association, Mr Saliu Musa-Halima, a retired Controller of Corrections, pledged to make members’ welfare and well-being his top priority.

“As the pioneer Chairman, I thank you for this honour bestowed on me. It is a critical assignment at this stage of retirement. I will uphold it to the best of my knowledge and ability. By the grace of God, we shall introduce innovations in line with global best practices,” he said.

Lamenting the plight of retirees, Musa-Halima described their challenges as “cumbersome.” He stated that neglect after service was cutting short the lives of many ex-officers.

“Our challenges are enormous. Many of us suffer health complications due to neglect after retirement. The retirement benefits we receive are meagre. If I tell you what a Controller receives, you will be shocked,” he said.

He linked poor welfare to early deaths. According to him, the better the welfare of members, the longer they live. “When you restrict their welfare, they die early. Government should consider the plight of our people,” he stated.

The chairman made a direct appeal to the Federal Government, stressing the critical role of correctional facilities in national security. “We have secured this country. Without the prison, all security institutions are zero, because no one can detain an offender in their house. Not judges, not governors, not even the Head of State. Offenders are brought to us. The prison is the foundation of the criminal justice system,” he said.

He also decried the living conditions of retired officers, stressing that “the condition of prison officers reflects poverty. Many of us cannot take care of our children or ourselves. We live on loans. Even after leaving service, I was still servicing loans. It is time for government to act.”

The association’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Umar Abubakar, a retired Deputy Controller of Corrections and immediate past National PRO of the service, acknowledged improvements in the welfare of serving personnel under the current administration.

He said the current administration, under the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had improved salaries and allowances for correctional officers. He added that the Controller General, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, was also doing a lot, including providing new barracks and infrastructure at the National Headquarters.

He, however, identified delayed PENCOM payments as the biggest challenge facing retirees. “While in service, both government and officers contribute to PENCOM. Upon retirement, the accrued money is supposed to be paid. Unfortunately, retirees receive peanuts compared to their contributions. This has nothing to do with government, but with PENCOM,” he said.

“I retired in November, and up till now, I have not accessed my gratuity. The system is not encouraging. I urge the Honourable Minister to look into PENCOM and find a solution. Lack of care leads to depression, stroke, and hypertension,” he added.

Abubakar said the Association’s Cooperative and Correctional Welfare Insurance Scheme had become a fallback for retirees, with members accessing between ₦2m and ₦3m on retirement, depending on rank.

He also urged the Kogi Government and private sector to engage retired officers in security and intelligence roles. He emphasised that retired officers had a lot to offer in security and psychological profiling. He urged the government and private sector to tap into this expertise.

The newly inaugurated executives include Mr Saliu Musa-Halima as Chairman; Hajiya Abdulquadir Ajara as Vice Chairman; Mr Emma Adepele as Secretary; Mr Peter Onuabu as Assistant Secretary; ACC Ahmed Saketsu-chi as Financial Secretary; CSC Alonu Toba as Treasurer; ACC Malam Onu Umoru as Auditor; DCC Malam Umar Abubakar as PRO; and DCC Isa Jubril Muhammad as Provost.

In their closing remarks, the executives pledged to advocate for improved welfare, timely payment of gratuities and pensions, and the inclusion of retired correctional officers in both national and state security architecture.