ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have exceeded 60 years of age or 35 years in service, a move that could reshape the leadership structure of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a statement on Friday, January 31, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani confirmed the decision, emphasizing that it aligns with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement under these conditions. The commission reversed a 2017 decision that previously allowed officers to count their date of enlistment instead of their official appointment date.
The directive has been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for immediate implementation, raising fresh concerns about his own tenure status.
IGP Egbetokun’s Tenure Sparks Debate
The mass retirement directive comes amid controversy over the continued stay of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who, by existing police regulations, should have retired in September 2024 upon turning 60. However, a July 2024 amendment by the National Assembly extended his stay to complete a four-year term as stipulated under Section 7 of the Police Act 2020.
Despite calls for Egbetokun’s retirement, the Federal Government reaffirmed its support for his tenure extension on Thursday, declaring it legal and valid under the amended law.
What’s Next?
With the IGP’s continued stay and a mass exit of senior officers, the power dynamics within the Nigeria Police Force could shift significantly in the coming weeks. The move also sets the stage for possible legal and administrative battles over tenure interpretation and the government’s commitment to upholding service rules.
This latest development adds to the growing debate on institutional reforms in Nigeria’s security sector, as stakeholders watch closely to see whether the PSC’s directive will be fully enforced—or selectively applied.
