The Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have either surpassed 35 years of service or are over 60 years of age.
This directive, announced on Friday, January 31, follows the ongoing controversy over the tenure extension granted to Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, after he turned 60.
PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani explained that the decision was made to ensure adherence to Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement when an officer reaches the required years of service or age limit.
“The Police Service Commission, at its extraordinary meeting, approved the immediate retirement of senior officers who have either served over 35 years or are above 60 years old,” Ani stated.
He further clarified that this decision reverses a previous ruling from the PSC’s 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, which had allowed officers to use their date of enlistment rather than their date of appointment for determining retirement. The commission now asserts that this policy was inconsistent with public service rules.
“The earlier decision contradicts the principles of service merger in the public service and violates Public Service Rule No. 020908, which calls for retirement at 35 years of service or 60 years of age,” Ani explained.
The directive has been formally communicated to the Inspector-General of Police for immediate implementation. The decision was made during an extraordinary meeting presided over by the Commission Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, with other notable members in attendance.
“The decision has been conveyed to the Inspector-General for prompt action,” Ani concluded.
