The Police Service Commission has ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have spent more than 35 years in service or are above the age of 60.
This decision follows debates over the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who recently turned 60. However, the police and the Attorney General of the Federation have insisted that his stay in office is lawful.
In a statement on Friday, PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the commission reviewed its earlier decision from a 2017 plenary meeting, which allowed police officers to use their enlistment date instead of their initial appointment date for retirement calculations.
Ani stated, “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.”
He explained that the commission reconsidered its 2017 decision and found it inconsistent with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement at 35 years of service or 60 years of age.
“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),” he added.
The directive has been officially communicated to the Inspector General of Police for immediate action.
The meeting was presided over by the Commission Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hashimu Argungu. Other attendees included retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, the Secretary to the Commission.
The PSC emphasized that the decision must be implemented without delay.
