The Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed the immediate retirement of police officers who are over the age of 60 or have served for more than 35 years.

The decision was reached at the commission’s extraordinary meeting.

“The Police Service Commission, at its first extraordinary meeting, approved the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have exceeded 35 years in service or are above 60 years of age,” PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani stated in a press release on Friday.

The commission announced the reversal of a 2017 decision that had allowed “Force Entrants to have their date of appointment in the Force count against the date of their enlistment.”

“The commission has carefully reconsidered its decision and concluded that the previous ruling was inconsistent with the principle of service merger in the public sector and contravened Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which stipulates that retirement should occur upon attaining 35 years of service or reaching the age of 60,” the statement read.

Consequently, at its first extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held on Friday, 31st January 2025, the commission approved the immediate retirement of officers who have exceeded these limits.

Ani confirmed that the decision has been formally communicated to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for implementation.

This development comes amid growing calls for the retirement of the IGP following the extension of his tenure.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as the IGP in June 2023, replacing Usman Baba. The National Police Council confirmed his appointment as substantive police chief in October 2023.

Section 7 of the Police Act 2020 stipulates that any individual appointed as IGP shall serve a four-year term. Born on 4th September 1964, Egbetokun was expected to retire in September 2024 upon turning 60.

Additionally, Section 18 (8) of the Police Act 2020 references the civil service retirement rule, stating that “every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever comes first.”

However, in July 2024, the National Assembly passed a bill permitting Egbetokun to remain in office until the expiration of the term outlined in his appointment letter.

Despite calls for his retirement, the Federal Government reaffirmed its support for Egbetokun on Thursday, asserting that his continued tenure was lawful.