Isiaka Ayole, who retired as a Deputy Superintendent of Police after nearly 35 years in the Nigeria Police Force, tells AYOOLA OLASUPO about his N2.1m gratuity, the omission of 24 months of pension contributions from his records and his call for a review of his retirement benefits
You recently retired from the police force. Looking back, how did your journey in the force begin?
I spent 34 years and nine months in the police force before retiring as a Deputy Superintendent of Police on June 13, 2026, upon attaining the age of 60.
I joined the police in 1991. Before then, I attended Government Technical College, Ile-Ifeand graduated in 1985. After several unsuccessful attempts to secure a job, I worked under Ogundoyin at Eruwa, Oyo State, from 1986 to 1989.
I later returned to Ibadan, where someone informed me about an ongoing police recruitment exercise. I applied and was enlisted in 1991.
I rose through the ranks, from constable to corporal, sergeant, inspector and other senior positions, before retiring as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Can you recall some of the challenging experiences you had during your years of service?
I joined the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Ibadan in 1995 under the late Ayo Ogunleye. I worked with Agunbiade, who retired as an Assistant Superintendent of Police at Zone 11. He was like a brother to me.
I left Oyo State in 1999 and was posted to Ikeja, Lagos, where I participated in several operations and worked with experienced officers. I also served as an Officer-in-Charge at some point.
In 2023, another officer was brought in to head the Ondo State Special Intervention Squad, where I was serving. I was later assigned to head the unit in Ondo town before being transferred to Alagbon, Lagos.
I was subsequently transferred from Alagbon to Zamfara State, where I spent a month. I fell ill before I eventually returned to the South-West.
Over the years, I participated in several operations against criminals, particularly robbery-related operations and investigations, as well as other security assignments.
I was committed to my responsibilities and spent many years fighting crime and arresting notorious criminals. What worries me now is how I will cope after retirement. I gave the force the best years of my life, and I am concerned about what lies ahead.
How did you find out that your gratuity was N2.1m?
I was invited to the police pension office at Eleyele, where I was informed that my gratuity was N2.1m. I was shocked because I served the country for almost 35 years, and I could not understand why my entitlement was that low.
I was told that some months were remitted to my pension account. I do not know how that happened. The police post us to different locations, and refusing a posting could attract a query. I do not understand how 24 months of my service could be excluded from the remittances.
How did you feel when you learnt the amount?
I was dissatisfied with the N2.1m gratuity after almost 35 years of service. I want to understand what happened to my money. They told me that some months were not remitted, and I want to know why.
What did you initially expect to receive as gratuity?
I expected to receive all the benefits due to me. After dedicating my youth to serving the country and contributing to the Nigeria Police Force, I expected to receive a substantial amount that would support me and my family in retirement.
I was told that my money was with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System and that I should write a letter of complaint. I did so last month but have yet to receive a response.
In the letter, I asked them to explain why 24 months were missing from the remittances used to calculate my gratuity. I am appealing to Nigerians to help draw attention to my case and urge the relevant authorities to explain what went wrong.
When I went to their office to sign the necessary documents, I saw that my entitlement was N2.1m and was surprised. I asked for an explanation but eventually signed the form because I did not want my failure to sign it to become another reason for delaying my benefits.
I want to know what I did wrong to deserve N2.1m after almost 35 years in service.
What steps have you taken to find out why the 24 months were not remitted?
I do not have the money to pursue the matter further. My money is there, but I have not been able to access what I believe I am entitled to. I just want the authorities to explain what happened.
Some of my retired colleagues who have gone through this process told me that writing letters might not yield any response. I am appealing to the Director-General of the National Pension Commission to intervene. My identification number is 138918, and I retired at Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos State.
I have all the necessary documents and have also provided my telephone number. I want to know what happened to my money. I appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to investigate my case and help me. How can I serve for so many years and end up in this situation deserve to be treated fairly, and I need their intervention.
Serving and retired police officers have often expressed concerns about their welfare. What is your appeal to the Federal Government and the police authorities?
I am using this opportunity to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to look into the welfare of police officers, particularly their retirement benefits. Those within the system understand our plight. How can someone work for almost 35 years and retire with such a small amount?
Officers who have served the country should not be abandoned after retirement. They have given their time and energy to the nation and deserve to be properly catered for.
I also appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to look into my case. I do not know what will happen to me if nobody intervenes.
Cc: Punch