A fresh wave of protests has erupted in Lagos State as concerned Nigerians took to the streets demanding better salaries and improved welfare for police officers and soldiers.

The demonstrators, who brandished placards with inscriptions like “Pay Nigerian Soldiers Better, They Defend the Nation,” and “Reform Nigerian Military,” decried what they described as gross neglect of security personnel in the country.

The protest comes on the heels of a similar demonstration held earlier this week by retired police officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The retirees lamented years of poor treatment, alleging that they only received 25% of the deductions made from their salaries after serving for up to 35 years.

In video clips shared by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the Lagos protesters were seen chanting solidarity songs and marching peacefully, calling for comprehensive reforms to support serving and retired security operatives.

“We cannot continue like this,” one of the protesters said. “How can a Nigerian soldier earn as low as N50,000 a month when a bag of rice costs nearly the same? How do we expect them to fight terrorism and keep the nation safe?”

The protest underscores growing frustration within the ranks of Nigeria’s security forces. Many soldiers and police officers, both serving and retired, have repeatedly complained of poor remuneration, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of post-service benefits.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has also voiced support for the demonstrations, urging the government to prioritize the welfare of those who risk their lives daily to protect the country.

Speaking during the Abuja protest, a retired officer, Danjuma, expressed deep dissatisfaction: “I served this country for 35 years. Now, they pay me N30,000 and expect me to keep quiet? Out of my sweat, they hijacked everything and left us to suffer.”

Protesters also accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of lobbying the National Assembly to ignore their plight, further aggravating the situation.

The growing discontent signals urgent need for reforms within the Armed Forces and Police, as public trust in the system continues to erode.

The government is yet to officially respond to the Lagos protest or outline any plans to address the concerns raised.