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 60 years of age.
This decision comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who recently turned 60.
PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, noted that the decision was reached during the Commission’s first extraordinary meeting of the year. The meeting, presided over by the PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, also had in attendance other key commissioners, including retired Justice Adamu Paul Galumje and retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu.
The commission cited inconsistencies with the Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates that public officers retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching the age of 60.
IGP Tenure Controversy Intensifies
The decision has reignited debates over IGP Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, following allegations by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. Sowore, who was invited by the police earlier in the week, was later charged with cyberstalking and false publication against the IGP.
According to court documents, Sowore allegedly described Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP” in social media posts. The police have since dismissed the claims, citing Section 7 (6) of the amended Police Act 2020, which guarantees a four-year tenure for an IGP regardless of age or years in service.
The PSC has formally communicated its directive to the police hierarchy for immediate implementation, raising speculations on whether the ruling would affect the IGP’s tenure.
The directive has sparked mixed reactions among legal and security experts, with some arguing that the commission’s ruling could create a leadership vacuum in the police force. Others believed the move is necessary to uphold civil service regulations.
