The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have either exceeded the age limit of 60 years or served beyond the 35-year maximum tenure in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The directive was issued following an extraordinary meeting of the PSC held on Friday, January 31, 2025, and presided over by the Commission’s Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd.). Other key officials present at the meeting included Justice Adamu Paul Galumje (rtd.), DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd.), and the Commission’s Secretary, Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
According to Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations at the PSC, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has been notified for immediate implementation of the decision.
This sweeping directive follows an explosive investigation into a massive age falsification scandal within the police force, which implicated over 300 senior officers. According to reports several high-ranking officers had altered their records to illegally extend their service years. Those allegedly involved include AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Abdul Yari, AIG Ben Igwe, CP Peter Ukachi Opara, CP Obo Obo Ukani, ACP Akpan Brown, and DCP Simon Asamber Lough (SAN).
Sources within the force revealed that some officers had manipulated their birth dates to push their retirement dates forward. For instance, Idowu Owohunwa allegedly adjusted his records to retire in 2029, while AIG Ben Igwe, reportedly over 70 years old, and DCP Simon Lough, who has served for an astonishing 45 years, were still in active service before this crackdown.
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Following the PSC’s decision, sources say that officers like Lough, Igwe, and Owohunwa will be quietly retired, while AIG Lafia Abdulyari faces a demotion to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP). Furthermore, all officers found guilty of illegally extending their service years will be required to repay salaries and benefits received beyond their legitimate retirement period.
The PSC also scrapped a controversial 2017 policy that had allowed police recruits to use their enlistment date instead of their official appointment date for retirement calculations. The Commission ruled that this policy was in direct violation of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement at 35 years of service or age 60, whichever comes first.
With the new directive in place, all officers exceeding the official retirement criteria must immediately exit the Force, marking a major shake-up in the Nigeria Police Force.