BREAKING: DHQ Orders Protesting Ex-Soldiers to Vacate Finance Ministry

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has directed retired soldiers protesting at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja to vacate the premises.

The ex-soldiers, who left service in 2024, returned to the streets weeks after staging a similar protest over what they described as the government’s failure to pay their entitlements.

They accused authorities of neglecting them and demanded that their gratuities and allowances be recalculated under the new minimum wage regime.

Reacting to the demonstration, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, said the protesters had already been adequately briefed on the payment system.

He explained that two salary charts were introduced in 2024: a “pre-minimum wage chart” used between January 1 and July 28, and a “minimum wage chart” that took effect from July 29.

Kangye stressed that gratuities and the security debarment allowance are computed based on the chart applicable at the time of retirement. He noted that those who left service before July 29 fell under the old chart and could not have their benefits recalculated under the new one.

“The actions of these protesting soldiers are seriously affecting the smooth conduct of activities at the Ministry of Finance,” he said.

“While the Defence Headquarters acknowledges the right to legitimate protest, the veterans are strongly advised to tread with caution and vacate the premises to allow government functions to continue seamlessly.”