Police Service Commission, PSC, yesterday approved the retirement of police officers above 60 years old or have spent 35 years in service.
It took the decision at an extraordinary meeting, citing Public Service Rule which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.
A statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations Officer, Ikechukwu Ani, announced the decision yesterday, but did not provide how many officers may be affected.
But the statement said the commission had at its 24th Plenary Meeting of September 27 and 28, 2017 approved that Force entrants should have their date of appointment magainst the date of their enlistment.
It added, “The commission has passionately revisited their decision and has come to the conclusion that in its intent and purpose, it contradicts the principle of merger of service in the public service and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 ( i & ii) which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.
“Accordingly, PSC at its first extraordinary meeting of the sixth Management Board held today, Friday, January, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” the statement added.
The development implies a complete purge from the police service, all age mates of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who despite crossing the mandatory retirement age in September last year will remain in service.
Mr Egbetokun’s stay in office was made possible by a controversial amendment to the Police Act last year which saw his tenure extended to 2027.
