The Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have either exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60.
The decision came amid ongoing controversy over the tenure of the incumbent Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who recently turned 60.
However, both the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) have clarified that Egbetokun’s continued stay in office was legal and lawful.
In a statement on Friday, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed that the commission had reviewed and reversed an earlier decision from its 24th plenary meeting in September 2017. The decision had allowed NPF entrants to use their date of enlistment instead of their initial appointment date when calculating their cumulative service years.
According to Ani, the reversal was necessary due to inconsistencies with the Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement upon reaching 35 years of service or the age of 60.
“The Police Service Commission rose from its first extraordinary meeting with the approval for the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” Ani stated.
He added, “The commission has passionately revisited their decision and has concluded that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of the merger of service in the public service and violates Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.”
He added that the PSC’s directive has been formally communicated to IGP Egbetokun for immediate implementation.
“The commission’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation,” Ani concluded.
The meeting where the decision was made was presided over by the Commission chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu. Other officials in attendance included retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd.), and the Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
