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LAGOS — Adegbehin Adetarami, a retired Superintendent of Police, is currently fighting for his life in a traditional orthopedic hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos State, following a spinal cord injury sustained during active duty in 2017. Despite serving the Nigeria Police Force until his retirement in 2021, Adetarami received no medical support from the institution and has spent over ₦25 million on treatment, exhausting his savings and selling his only home.
His monthly pension stands at just ₦47,000 (approximately $30), and his gratuity of ₦2 million was paid two years after retirement. The financial strain has forced two of his children to drop out of school, underscoring the broader challenges faced by retired officers under Nigeria’s current welfare system.
While the Nigeria Police Force as an entity may not be directly responsible for this neglect, observers point to the discretionary powers held by current welfare representatives who could, within legal bounds, allocate support from existing provisions. The situation highlights the urgent need for those in such positions to recognize the weight of their responsibilities and act with compassion and accountability.
Human rights advocates and retired officers have called on the Nigerian government and the leadership of the police force to ensure that Adetarami and others in similar circumstances receive adequate care and dignified treatment after years of service.
The Nigeria Police Force, Headquarter Abuja.
