The Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of officers above 60 and those who have served for more than 35 years.
PSC reached the decision during its extraordinary meeting.
“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,” PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani said in a statement on Friday.
The commission also reversed a 2017 decision that had allowed force entrants to count their date of appointment in the force rather than their enlistment date.
“The commission has passionately revisited its decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of the merger of service in the public service and is in violation of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age,” the statement read.
Accordingly, the commission, at its first extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held on Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who fall under this category.
The decision has been communicated to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for implementation.
IGP Egbetokun’s Tenure Controversy
The move comes amid calls for the retirement of IGP Egbetokun, whose tenure was extended despite reaching retirement age.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as IGP in June 2023, replacing Usman Baba. The National Police Council confirmed him as the substantive police chief in October 2023.
Section 7 of the Police Act 2020 stipulates that an IGP shall serve a four-year term. However, Egbetokun, born on 4th September 1964, reached the retirement age of 60 in September 2024. Section 18 (8) of the same Act states that police officers must retire after 35 years of service or at the age of 60, whichever comes first.
In July 2024, the National Assembly passed a bill allowing Egbetokun to remain in office until the end of his appointment term.
Despite ongoing calls for his retirement, the Federal Government on Thursday reaffirmed that his continued stay is legal.