The Police Service Commission (PSC) has reaffirmed that its recent directive for police officers who have served for 35 years or reached the age of 60 to retire does not extend to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The clarification follows growing debates among public commentators who argued that the directive should also apply to the IGP.
In a statement issued on Monday, PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, emphasized that the Commission’s mandate, as outlined in Paragraph 30, Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Clause 6(1) of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, does not cover the IGP. He explained that the IGP is appointed by the President on the advice of the Police Council, making the retirement directive inapplicable to the position.
The statement also clarified that at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on January 31, 2025, the PSC only deliberated on the regularization of first appointment dates for Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) and Inspector Force entrants. According to Ani, the discussions had no bearing on the tenure of the IGP or his office.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutionally assigned powers and dismissed suggestions that it was seeking additional authority beyond its legal jurisdiction. It further noted that it has maintained a cooperative and complementary working relationship with the IGP in the interest of strengthening the Nigeria Police Force.
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