The Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued a directive mandating the immediate retirement of senior officers in the Nigeria Police Force who have either surpassed 35 years of service or reached the age of 60.
This decision comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the tenure of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday.
While questions have been raised about whether he should remain in office, both the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation have asserted that his continued tenure is legally justified.
In a statement released on Friday, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, announced that the commission had reviewed and overturned its 2017 policy, which previously permitted officers to use their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date for retirement calculations.
This latest decision aligns with the provisions of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which clearly stipulates that public officers must retire upon completing 35 years of service or attaining 60 years of age, whichever comes first.
Ani explained that after a thorough review, the commission determined that its 2017 stance was inconsistent with existing public service regulations regarding retirement criteria. The PSC concluded that maintaining the previous policy undermined the principles governing service duration and retirement in the Nigerian public sector.
The statement further disclosed that the PSC reached this resolution during its first extraordinary meeting, presided over by the commission’s Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu. The meeting was attended by key officials, including retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, who represents the judiciary on the commission; retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, who represents the police; and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, the Commission’s Secretary.
Following deliberations, the PSC officially communicated its decision to the Inspector General of Police for immediate enforcement. This directive is expected to impact several senior officers in the force, ensuring compliance with public service regulations and fostering a structured succession plan within the Nigeria Police Force.
With this move, the commission aims to reinforce adherence to service rules while preventing any discrepancies that may arise from policy inconsistencies. The decision is also expected to set a precedent for future appointments and retirements within the police force, maintaining transparency and accountability in the system.
