A heavy deployment of armed police and soldiers blocked retired military personnel from gathering outside the Ministry of Defence in Abuja on Wednesday, frustrating planned demonstrations over unpaid pension adjustments.
The protest was called by ex-servicemen demanding the implementation of consequential pension increases linked to recent salary raises granted to serving troops.
Trouble flared earlier in the day when soldiers stationed at the ministry moved to prevent the veterans from assembling on the premises. The intervention triggered a confrontation between the serving soldiers and their retired counterparts.
The protesters were undeterred by the initial clash and attempted to advance towards the ministry building. However, additional security forces were swiftly mobilised to reinforce the cordon and bar access to the area.
The heavy security presence ultimately prevented the retired servicemen from converging in front of the ministry as intended.