The ongoing crisis within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intensified as senior officers facing mandatory retirement continue to resist stepping down, despite clear directives issued by the Police Service Commission (PSC). These officers, who have either reached the retirement age of 60 or completed 35 years of service, have taken legal action to challenge the enforcement of their retirement.
Over the weekend, investigations revealed that the affected officers are banking on a pending case at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, arguing that they should remain in service while awaiting a legal ruling on the PSC’s directive.
However, speaking to Daily Trust on Sunday, the PSC insisted that it had no official knowledge of any officers openly defying the retirement order. The commission maintained that it expects full compliance from all affected personnel.
Several officers affected by the directive, who preferred to speak anonymously, expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming that they would not have taken legal action if the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had not been granted an extended tenure. They argued that fairness should apply to all officers in the force.
One senior officer stated, “Officers have always retired from the police force, and ours would be no different. However, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Some may argue that the IGP’s position is political, but we are all in service, and the same rules should apply.”
They further clarified that their lawsuit is not a direct challenge to the extension of the IGP’s tenure but rather a protest against the PSC’s directive enforcing their retirement while allowing the IGP to continue in office.
PSC Orders Immediate Retirement of Senior Officers
Earlier this month, the Police Service Commission (PSC) issued a formal directive mandating the immediate retirement of all senior officers who had either completed 35 years of service or reached the age of 60. PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the decision was taken after a thorough review of previous policies and was based on compliance with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii).
However, in a surprising turn of events, the police headquarters issued a counter-instruction on February 5, 2025, through a wireless message from the Force Secretary’s office, instructing the affected officers to remain in service until further notice. This move has further complicated the situation, with uncertainty looming over the final outcome.
In a new development, the police high command has initiated steps to address the situation by compiling a list of affected officers. This list will be forwarded to the PSC for further deliberation. The entire process is being overseen by a disciplinary committee set up by IGP Egbetokun to review the situation and determine the next course of action.
Reliable sources have disclosed that the disciplinary committee officially commenced its proceedings on Monday at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja. Several top officers have already been summoned, including an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, two Commissioners of Police, and a senior police legal officer.
A source familiar with the process stated, “The committee has officially invited the affected officers, and they are expected to appear in full uniform. The deliberations are expected to be concluded by Thursday.”
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria has postponed the hearing on the case challenging the retirement directive to March 18, 2025.
Among those involved in the legal battle are Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Egong Egwu Egong, CSP Edwin Okoro, and three other officers. Their legal representative, Adeleke Agbola (SAN), has argued that the PSC's directive is based on a contested circular that calculates service years from their police force entry date rather than their admission date into the Police Academy.
Agbola urged the court to maintain the status quo until a final ruling determines whether the PSC’s directive contradicts a previous judgment stating that officers’ years of service should be counted from when they entered the Police Academy, not their enlistment into the force.
Amidst the controversy, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Wilson Inalegwu has weighed in on the matter, advising the affected officers to accept their retirement gracefully. He emphasized that the PSC has the constitutional authority to appoint, promote, and retire officers up to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General.
Inalegwu further explained that the IGP’s position is a political appointment made at the discretion of the President and should not be equated with other ranks within the force.
“The President has the power to appoint the IGP, not the other officers. Those agitating to stay in the force after 60 years should just go home honorably,” Inalegwu stated.