The protest by retired police officers at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday was largely peaceful, thanks to the proactive and tactical intervention of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale.
The retired officers, who had barricaded the main gate of the Force Headquarters for nearly six hours to demand better welfare and the return of seized items, were visibly agitated when they arrived.
The situation grew tense as the rains poured and tempers flared among the demonstrators, some of whom had threatened to remain at the gate overnight if their grievances were not addressed.
However, CP Ajao, who arrived at the scene early, adopted a calm but firm approach that helped de-escalate tensions.
He assured the retirees that the leadership of the Force had heard their concerns and was committed to addressing them.
Most notably, he personally announced to the crowd: “The Inspector General of Police is coming to address you.”
This reassurance proved pivotal. It not only pacified the restless retirees but also created room for dialogue, which eventually led to a resolution.
With CP Ajao acting as a bridge between the protesters and the Force hierarchy, the officers agreed to end their protest and meet with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, later that afternoon.
Following the meeting with the IGP, the retired officers confirmed that many of their concerns had already been receiving attention.
They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak directly with the police leadership and lauded the mature handling of the protest by CP Ajao.
Observers and some of the retirees themselves credited the FCT police boss for maintaining a professional and humane posture throughout the standoff, preventing what could have been a chaotic confrontation.
His intervention not only averted a possible escalation but also reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and respect for all cadres of service personnel, retired or serving.
The protest, which could have disrupted security operations in the capital, ended without any recorded violence, marking it as a model of how peaceful demonstrations can be managed with empathy and proactive leadership.
