In 2006, military pensioners protested their maltreatment in front of Mogadishu Cantonment, they blocked all roads leading in and exiting the cantonment, refused every staff car and official vehicle to go out or come in. https://twitter.com/oloye__/status/1286936004520288256

Another group barricaded the military pension board (then in Zone 4) causing serious traffic gridlock everywhere. It was the defining moment for the government and armed forces.

The Nigerian Police in Asokoro, sent some men to tear gas them, but imagine teargassing a man that fought civil war in 3 African countries. They subdued the police men and beat them up, the rest ran through the bush and closed for the day

The military sent the military police but they were overpowered too. The commandant of the Garrison came to address the angry pensioner, he was stoned with empty bottle cans, he turned and went away.

The press showed up with another Lieutenant Colonel from pension board standing behind a hilux and trying to calm the crowd but then the situation had already exercebated, they had started burning tyres on the roads.

The SSS had no choice but to break the news to Mr President, wow ordered the then Minister of State for Defence, Aguiyi-Ironsi to come himself to address the pensioners and reassure them.

This protest by pensioners was a defining moment in the military. The military had to move the pension board to Dutse Alhaji. Mr President then ordered pension matters to be handled differently and since then, it's been different.

Nigerians get clever by half leaders because we are docile. The Nigerian state understands nothing aside violence. You must protest, shout to make a point or else remain useless in the grand scheme of things.

The government doesn't care about you or your family or your business, their interest is for you to pay tax so they live off your sweats s governance doesn't require innovation in Nigeria.

Till date, as a military pensioners, you don't have to travel to Abuja to get things sorted out anymore. Most times, you report back to the last unit you served.