Police Shake-Up: Mass Retirement Looms as Top Officers Face Exit Over Alleged Forgery, Age Falsification

By Oluronke Kuku

The Police Service Commission has reversed its previous decision on the regularization of appointment dates for Cadet ASPs and Inspector Force Entrants. The new decision mandates the immediate retirement of officers who have spent more than 35 years in service or are above 60 years old.

This move is expected to affect a large number of police personnel, including top officers implicated in forgery, falsification, and bypassing service regulations.

The Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Chief Kayode Egbetokun orders the immediate retirement of senior police officers, including Simon Lough, SAN, the Head of the NPF Legal Section, and Benneth Igweh, a former Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner.

The Commission’s decision aims to ensure compliance with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which stipulates retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age. The Inspector-General of Police has been directed to ensure comprehensive implementation of the Commission’s decision, which may lead to a significant shake-up in the force’s personnel structure.