From Aruga Joe Omokaro, Haruna Tula – Abuja

The order by the Police Service Commission (PSC) on January 31st, for police officers who have clocked 60 years, and those who have served 35 years to retire immediately, is causing ripples in the police.

Discrete investigations by The SUPREME reveal hat, some of the affected officers and their sympathisers are believed to be causing internal disharmony in the Force.

If the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr Kayode Egbetokun does not swiftly nip in the bud, there might be a nation wide unrest like volcano.

“These officers never planned for retirement now, and are being thrown into the labour market, (you) think they are happy to go?”
an officer in sympathy expressed.

The SUPREME under cover investigations reveal that, the current cold war between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and IGP Egbetokun is the route cause of the ripples.

Already, the PSC is anticipating a volcano, hence it instructed the newly posted Commissioners of Police (CPs) to Anambra and Taraba states, to “ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order “

And several officers serving and retired, are urging Egbetokun to retire honourably, as the crisis in the police are diversionary that could overwhelm him and affect his health.

Subsequent upon the PSC order, 197 police offices, were initially identified as those who falsified their staff records. Force Secretary allegedly issued them compulsory retirement letters. However, unconfirmed report said, the Presidency intervened, and instructed the IGP to put on hold in releasing the letters.

The alleged Presidency directive was meant to “ensure that more officers who falsified their dates of entry were identified abd included, ” a source explained.

Our investigations further reveal that, subsequent upon the intervention from the Presidency, about 200 more officers were identified and were given compulsory retirement letters.

In spite of the 200 more identified officers, we reliably learnt that, secrete searchlight for more culprits is going on, at the Force Headquarters (FHQ) , and at the PSC Abuja.

A senior officer at FHQ noted that, “if thorough investigation is carried out, over 500 more officers are likely going to be affected.”
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However, many serving and retired officers who spoke to The SUPREME urged President Bola Tinubu to also end the tenure of the IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

According to some of them, the tenure of Egbetokun had been characterised with crisis, “it is causing so much embarrassment to us. And its diversionary, because many are no longer dedicated and patriotic, anybody can be next victim.”

They argued that, Egbetokun ought to have statutorily retired last year 2024 September.

We learnt that the vaccume created by those flushed out are filled with officers, some of who may not be capable to perform the functions of their new offices

A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) from the North, told The SUPREME that, “if the President gives him (Egbetokun) an extension, it’s okay. But it’s not healthy for the system. It demoralises others The Nigerian Constitution as amended, supercedes the Police Act of 2024.
The IG”s tenure has been full of crisis. He should resign to avoid hypertension.”
On the fate of those who falsified their entry records, he said, “that is fraud. And it is criminal.
They should go honourably.
Ordinarily government should revert their ranks to when they ought to have retired. Government should have deducted the salaries and allowances from the date they ought have retired. But government should temper mercy with justice. “
He commended Chairman of the PSC, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu “for bringing sanity to the Police.”
Another officer commended the PSC Chairman for “cleansing the augean stable of the police.”

But a retired AIG from the South-south disagreed on showing mercy on them. He told The SUPREME that, government should revert their ranks to when they ought to have retired, and deduct the salaries and allowances they enjoyed during the illegal years from their retirement entitlements. Some of us retired honourably when we were due.

On Kayode Egbetokun’s extended tenure, he explained that, “the Police Act 2024 as amended, gives any IG four years tenure.” He noted that, “all we have been talking, has the government done anything to him.?”

Another AIG from the North, observed that , “there is no past IG whose tenure did not experuence crisis. So his (Egbetokun) own is not peculiar.”
On whether President Bola Tinubu should replace him, he said, “l was not consulted before he was appointed.”

Another AIG from the middle belt, wondered why, “President Tinubu is still keeping him, in spite all the embarrassments.”

A retired senior officer from the South west also noted that, “as long as those who appointed him do not see anything wrong with his performances so be it.”

However, several serving officers who pleaded anonimty argued that, “the Nigerian Constitution as amend, overrides the Police Act. “
Some others queried: “Nigerian Constitution as amended and the Police Act of 2024, which one is more superior ? Which one should the President obey?” Another officer opined: “as far as some of us are concerned we have an illegal IGP.”

The Police Commission had said that, it has passionately revisited their decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision
in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of merger of service in the Public Service, and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 ( i & ii) which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.

“Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extra ordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age. “

A serving DIG justifying the PSC decision, told The SUPREME that, “as a human being l sympathise with them, because they never expected it. But let’s face the reality. You can’t joined as a Constable and after five or 10 years you acquire a higher qualification, then go for a cadet course and you are appointed as an ASP, you now say your years of service should commence from when you become an ASP. What happens to the five or 10 years you served as Constable or Corporal collecting government salaries? In that case many would serve for 40 or 45 years .”

The SUPREME reported three weeks ago that, the IGP had ordered investigation of the following officers who allegedly falsified their records.
AIG Abdul Yari,, Idowu Owohunwa, one time Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), now AIG incharge of INTERPOL National Central Bureau, and Ben Igwe former CP Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, now AIG Zone 7 Abuja, as well as CP Peter Okachi Opara,, CP Obo Obo Ukani,
DCP Simon Asanmber Lough (SAN), and ACP Akpan Brown

The investigation triggered investigations of the entire Police Force staff records which unearthed the 400 culprits

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