The Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued a directive ordering the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 or have completed 35 years of service.
This decision comes amid controversy surrounding the tenure of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday. Despite claims by the Police and the Attorney General of the Federation that his continued stay in office is lawful, the PSC has opted to enforce the mandatory retirement age.
According to Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, the commission’s earlier stance allowing force entrants to use their date of enlistment instead of their initial appointment date has been reversed. This reversal is due to the inconsistency of the earlier stance with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement upon reaching 35 years in service or the age of 60.
The PSC’s directive has been formally communicated to the Inspector General of Police for immediate implementation. The decision was made during an extraordinary meeting chaired by Commission Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu, with notable attendees including Justice Adamu Paul Galumje and DIG Taiwo Lakanu.
This move by the PSC aims to enforce mandatory retirement and maintain consistency with public service rules. The directive may have implications for other senior police officers nearing retirement age.
