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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed concern over a violent National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operation that claimed the life of a teenager in Edo State and, separately, moved to address the long-standing pension grievances of retired police officers protesting at the National Assembly.
In the first motion, the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, representing Owan West/East Federal Constituency, Edo State, and APC House Majority Leader, drew attention to a late-night raid allegedly carried out by masked NDLEA operatives in Obuji, Commonwealth Local Government Area, on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Ihonvbere said the operation threw the communities of Okewu, Inukuji, and surrounding villages into panic, citing reports of harassment, intimidation, property destruction, sporadic gunfire, and the killing of 16-year-old Emmanuel Mwande George, who was reportedly shot inside his family’s living room.
Several residents sustained injuries, some critical, and are receiving treatment at Irrawad Specialist Hospital. The operatives were reported to have been masked and accompanied by army vehicles.
The lawmaker cautioned that while the NDLEA is empowered to combat drug trafficking, “its operations must remain within the limits of the law and must not terrorize peaceful citizens,” warning that such actions erode public trust, violate human rights, and risk creating friction among security agencies.
He urged the House to mandate the Committees on Narcotics, Human Rights, and Public Safety to immediately investigate the incident and recommend suspension of the officers involved pending the outcome of the probe.
Retired Police Officers Protest Pension Disparities
In a separate motion, lawmakers addressed concerns raised by retired police officers who have been protesting for weeks over alleged injustices under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency, said many retired officers receive meager monthly stipends of ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 despite decades of national service. “The measure of a nation’s gratitude is seen in how it treats those who safeguarded it. Their plight is a national embarrassment,” he said.
Hon. Bamidele Salam, who seconded the motion, noted that earlier attempts to exempt police officers from the CPS had been resisted by PenCom and other vested interests. He stressed the need for strong collaboration with the Senate to ensure full passage of the reform bill.
House Confirms Progress on Police Pension Reform
Hon. Abubakar Maki Eleman, representing the police constituency, informed the chamber that the House had completed legislative work on the Nigerian Police Pension Bill, which amends the Pension Reform Act to exempt police officers from the CPS and establish a dedicated Police Post-Pension Board. The bill was transmitted to the Senate on October 28, 2025, for concurrence.
Chairman of the House Committee on Pensions, Hon. Hussein Jalloh, added that all House-level requirements had been fulfilled, and implementation would begin once the Senate gives approval.
House Reassures Retirees as Senate Action Awaits
The Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Makki Abubakar, said he had personally briefed protesting retirees, assuring them that their demands had been fully addressed through House Bill 979, which exempts the Nigeria Police Force from the CPS.
House Spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, told journalists that the 10th Assembly remains committed to transparency and responsiveness. “The agitations of our retirees have been resolved through legislation. The House will continue to ensure that our veterans and serving officers are treated with dignity,” he said.