The Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have either surpassed 35 years in service or exceeded the mandatory retirement age of 60.
The directive comes at a time when discussions surrounding the tenure of the current Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who recently turned 60, have sparked controversy.
Despite concerns raised over Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, both the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) have defended his position, maintaining that his tenure remains within legal bounds.
In an official statement released on Friday, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed that the commission had reviewed and overturned an earlier decision made at its 24th plenary session in September 2017. That previous ruling had allowed police officers to calculate their service years from their enlistment date rather than the date of their first official appointment.
Ani explained that the decision was reversed because it contradicted the provisions of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement upon reaching either 35 years of service or 60 years of age.
“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 further emphasized that the commission had carefully reconsidered its position and determined that the previous arrangement was inconsistent with established public service regulations.
“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,” Ani added.
He confirmed that the 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 said.
The meeting that led to this resolution was presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu. Other notable attendees included retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, and the Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
