PSC Orders Immediate Retirement of Senior Police Officers Amid IGP Tenure Controversy
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60.
This decision comes amid ongoing debates regarding the tenure of 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 maintained that Egbetokun’s continued stay in office is lawful.
In a statement on Friday, PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed that the commission had reviewed and reversed a previous decision from its 24th plenary meeting in September 2017. That decision had allowed police officers to calculate their service years based on their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date.
Ani explained that the reversal was necessary to align with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 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’s earlier decision contradicted the principles of public service rules regarding the merger of service years.
The PSC has formally communicated its directive to IGP Egbetokun for immediate implementation.
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu. Other attendees included retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, and the Commission’s Secretary, Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
