DHQ warns protesting ex-Soldiers over finance Ministry demonstration

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has cautioned retired soldiers protesting at the Federal Ministry of Finance over the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), describing their actions as illegal and disruptive.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, issued the warning on Friday, stating that the protests were obstructing official activities at the ministry and would no longer be tolerated.

“The Defence Headquarters acknowledges freedom of legitimate protest, but the veterans are strongly advised to trade with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance in order to pave way for normal government functions to be seamlessly conducted,” Kangye said.

He explained that neither the government nor the DHQ owed the veterans any SDA, noting that payments were being made based on the wage structure applicable at the time of each soldier’s retirement.

According to him, gratuity and SDA calculations depend on the salary chart effective at retirement, with those who retired between January 1 and July 28, 2024, falling under the pre-minimum wage chart, while those who retired from July 29, 2024, onward were placed under the minimum wage chart, following the implementation of the new structure.

“Unfortunately, soldiers who retired before the implementation date have insisted their benefits should be calculated with the new minimum wage chart, which is not possible. Government policies have effective dates of implementation and this case cannot be an exception,” Kangye stressed.

He urged the protesting veterans to respect established procedures and desist from further demonstrations.