Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has instructed all affected police officers to disregard the recent directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) mandating their immediate retirement.

The PSC had ordered officers who have completed 35 years of service or reached the age of 60 to retire without delay. However, a wireless message from the Force Secretary’s office stated that the IGP “strongly directs all officers affected by the PSC’s directive to stay action, pending further instruction.” Officers were instructed to comply strictly with this order.

Last week, PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani explained that the directive resulted from a review of the commission’s 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, which had previously allowed officers to use their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date for service calculations. The PSC argued that this approach conflicted with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.

However, the PSC clarified that it does not have the constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of the Inspector General of Police.