The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is facing growing turmoil as senior officers due for retirement challenge their mandated exit, citing what they see as unequal treatment in the force. Despite a directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) ordering officers who have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 or completed 35 years of service to step down, some are refusing to do so, leveraging an ongoing lawsuit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
Over the weekend, investigations revealed that affected officers are standing their ground, arguing that their continued service is justified if Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun remains in office beyond his statutory tenure. Speaking anonymously, some officers expressed frustration over what they perceive as selective enforcement of retirement rules.
“Retirement has always been part of the police force, and we are not against it. But fairness should apply across the board. Some may argue that the IGP’s role is political, but at the end of the day, we are all in service,” an aggrieved officer stated.
Despite the ongoing defiance, the PSC maintains that it has not been officially informed of any officers refusing to comply with its directive.
Earlier this month, the PSC reaffirmed its stance, directing all senior officers who had exceeded their service years to retire immediately. PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani explained that the directive aligns with the Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), ensuring adherence to set guidelines.
However, in a surprising turn, the police headquarters issued a counter-instruction on February 5, 2025, via a wireless message from the Force Secretary’s office. This directive urged affected officers to remain in service until further notice, adding another layer of uncertainty to the crisis.
In response to the situation, IGP Egbetokun has established a disciplinary committee to review the status of the affected officers. Sources indicate that the committee, which convened at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, has begun compiling names for submission to the PSC.
Several top-ranking officers, including an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, two Commissioners of Police, and a senior legal officer, have already been summoned. “The committee has officially invited these officers, and they are expected to appear in full uniform,” a source disclosed. The panel is expected to conclude its review by Thursday.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court has adjourned the case challenging the retirement order to March 18. Among the officers contesting the directive are Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Egong Egwu Egong, CSP Edwin Okoro, and three others. Their counsel, Adeleke Agbola (SAN), argued that the PSC’s calculation of service years—based on officers’ entry dates into the police force rather than their admission dates into the Police Academy—violates a previous court ruling.
Agbola urged the court to maintain the status quo until a final ruling determines whether the PSC acted lawfully in enforcing the retirement directive.
Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Wilson Inalegwu weighed in on the matter, urging affected officers to leave the force honorably. He emphasized that the PSC holds constitutional authority over police appointments, promotions, and retirements—except for the position of IGP, which falls under the President’s discretionary powers.
“The President appoints the IGP, not other officers. Those resisting retirement at 60 should simply step aside with dignity,” Inalegwu advised.
