The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has officially approved the retirement of officers found guilty of forgery, age falsification, and manipulation of service regulations to extend their tenure beyond the mandatory retirement period.
This decision follows a directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) issued during its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board. A police wireless message, dated February 10, 2025, and addressed to all zonal commands and departments, confirmed the directive’s implementation.
Directive on Regularization of Officers’ First Appointment Dates
The directive focuses on correcting irregularities in the first appointment dates of Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) and Inspectors. According to an internal memo referenced CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.2/294, officers found to have manipulated their records to extend their service unlawfully must immediately retire.
The document stated:
“Re: Police Service Commission decision at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on the regularization of date of first appointment of Cadet ASPs/Inspectors force entrants. X INGENPOL firmly directs you proceed with full implementation of POLSCOM directives.”
Background: IGP’s Initial Suspension of Retirement Orders
Before this new directive, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun had temporarily halted the retirement of senior officers who had exceeded 35 years in service or surpassed the age of 60.
A letter dated February 1, 2025, signed by Deputy Force Secretary CP Bode Akinbamilowo on behalf of the IGP, instructed affected officers—including Simon Lough, SAN, Head of the NPF Legal Section, and Benneth Igweh, former Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—to proceed with their immediate retirement.
PSC’s Final Directive on Mandatory Retirements
The PSC formally communicated its decision to the IGP in a letter dated January 31, 2025, signed by PSC Secretary, Nnamani Onyemuche. The letter emphasized the Commission’s ruling on officers who had exceeded the mandatory retirement criteria.
It stated:
“Accordingly, the Commission, at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board held on Friday, 31st January 2025, has approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.”
Additionally, the directive noted that any further irregularities discovered in officers’ records would also fall under the retirement approval.
The memo further directed:
“Please implement, inform the affected officers, and make replacements for the vacancies immediately. Thereafter, forward the details to the Commission for consideration and approval.”
Temporary Suspension of Retirement Orders
Despite the PSC’s directive, on February 5, 2025, an internal police signal obtained by SaharaReporters revealed that IGP Egbetokun had placed the retirement order on hold, pending further instructions.
The signal read:
“POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION DECISION AT ITS 1ST EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE 6TH MANAGEMENT BOARD ON THE REGULARIZATION OF DATE OF FIRST APPOINTMENT OF CADET ASPS/INSPECTORS FORCE ENTRANTS X REF. MYLET CH:8400/FS/FHQ/AB3/VOL.2/292 DATED 1ST FEBRUARY 2025 X INGENPOL STRONGLY DIRECTS X YOU STAY ACTION ON LET UNDER REF X PENDING FURTHER DIRECTIVE.”
Presidency’s Influence on Retirement Suspension
A police source disclosed to SaharaReporters that the reversal of the retirement order was due to an intervention from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“They have stopped the retirement of these senior officers. The order came from the Villa. The Villa told them to stop the retirement. Imagine, all this came after those affected had already received their retirement letters. This new signal from the IGP came today, stating that the action should be put on hold,” the source revealed.
Implications of the Directive
This decision raises concerns about transparency in law enforcement and the enforcement of retirement regulations. While the PSC seeks to enforce discipline and adherence to service guidelines, the intervention from higher authorities suggests potential political influence over police administration.
Stakeholders will now be watching closely to see if the retirement directive is ultimately enforced or if further exemptions will be granted under executive influence.
