The Nigerian Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the immediate retirement of senior police officers who are either over 60 years old or have served for more than 35 years.
These include Simon Lough, SAN, the Head of the NPF Legal Section and Benneth Igweh, a former Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner.
These police officers have been implicated in forgery, falsification, and bypassing service regulations.
The directive is disclosed in a letter dated February 1, 2025, signed by CP Bode Akinbamilowo, Deputy Force Secretary, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, and addressed to the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commandants of Police Staff Colleges at Jos and Kano, Commissioners of Police and Commandants of Police Colleges across the country.
The letter is titled ‘Re: Police Service Commission Decision At Its 1stt Extra Ordinary Meeting Of The 6thh Management Board On The Regularisation Of Date Of First Appointment Of Cadet ASPs/Inspectors Force Entrants.’
It reads, “Attached letter No. CH: 8400.IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.17/90 dates 31st January, 2025 with its attachments received from the Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters Abuja in respect of the above underlined subject refers.
“I am to convey the directive of the Inspector General of Police that you ensure comprehensive implementation of the decision with emphasis on paragraphs 3 and 4 of the attachment letter under reference.”
The decision of the PSC refereed to in the letter was earlier communicated to the IGP in a letter dated January 31, 2025 and signed by Nnamani Onyemuche, Secretary to the PSC.
Paragraphs 3 and 4 to be given emphasis read: “Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held on Friday 31st January 2025 has approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.
“Any omission discovered subsequently on this issue also falls within this approval.”
Paragraph 5 reads: Please implement, inform the affected officers and make replacement for the vacancies thereafter immediately and forward to the commission for its consideration and approval.”
On the list of those who should have retired but still in service going by their dates of enlistment are: Simon Asamber Lough who should have retired on January 8, 2022 going by his date of enlistment.
Others listed include Benneth Chinedu Igweh (January 5, 2023), Akinbayo Olasukami Olasoji, Louis Chike Nwabuwa, Mukar Sule, Adamu Danjuma, Ajao Olusegun, and Iriemi Solomon.