By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor**

A pensioners’ forum has raised the alarm over the reported deaths of more than 20 retired police officers within six months, allegedly because they could not afford medical treatment, and has appealed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio to intervene in the welfare crisis confronting former members of the Nigeria Police Force.

The forum expressed concern over the difficulties faced by retired police personnel in accessing adequate healthcare, warning that the situation had placed the lives of elderly and vulnerable pensioners at serious risk.According to the forum, the reported deaths underscore the urgent need for the Federal Government and relevant authorities to address the financial and medical challenges confronting retired police officers who devoted years of service to maintaining law and order across the country.

The group called on Akpabio to use his position as Senate President to draw the attention of the National Assembly to the plight of the pensioners and facilitate legislative intervention aimed at improving their welfare.It stressed that retired police officers deserved adequate medical care, timely pension payments and other essential benefits after years of service to the nation.The forum also urged the authorities responsible for police pensions and retirees’ healthcare to review existing arrangements and introduce measures that would ensure former officers could obtain treatment without facing prohibitive financial barriers.

It warned that failure to address the situation could expose more retired personnel and their dependants to avoidable hardship, particularly those living on limited pension incomes.The appeal also brings renewed attention to the broader welfare concerns of retired security personnel, many of whom face rising living costs and healthcare expenses after leaving active service.The forum maintained that the welfare of retired officers should be treated as a national responsibility, arguing that personnel who served the country should not be left without access to essential medical services when they become vulnerable in retirement.It therefore urged the Senate President and other relevant authorities to take urgent steps to investigate the reported deaths, establish the circumstances surrounding them and develop sustainable solutions to the healthcare and pension challenges facing retired police officers.

The reported deaths have highlighted the need for stronger institutional support for former police personnel, including accessible healthcare services, adequate retirement benefits and effective mechanisms for addressing pensioners’ complaints.**Note:** The report above is a carefully worded draft based on the information in your headline. The forum’s exact name, the date of its appeal, any direct quotations and independent confirmation of the reported deaths were not provided. These details should be verified before publication.