By Sani Musa

In the wake of the scandal that has rocked the Nigeria Police Force, where some high-ranking officers who have either reached their statutory retirement age or completed thirty-five years in service have allegedly refused to bow out honourably and give room for others to rise through the ranks, the Police Service Commission—whose duty it is to recruit, discipline, and dismiss erring police officers—has risen to the occasion and demanded that such officers exit the job in the interest of fairness, equity, and institutional integrity.

Following its extraordinary meeting on January 31, 2025, the PSC board, under the leadership of its indefatigable Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, Esq., reached a unanimous decision: all senior officers who have spent more than thirty-five years in service or have attained the statutory retirement age of sixty years must proceed on retirement with immediate effect. This resolution was conveyed in a press statement issued by the Commission’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani.

The affected officers include those who joined the Force as Constables or rank-and-file personnel with only a First School Leaving Certificate but later pursued further education while in service, eventually upgrading to the officers’ cadre. This has led to a contentious debate over whether their years of service should be counted from their initial enlistment as Constables or from their appointment as officers.

The PSC had previously ruled that their years of service should be calculated from their appointment as officers, effectively disregarding the time they spent serving as rank-and-file personnel. This decision did not sit well with many in the Force, as it created resentment and division. The affected officers, despite having clocked thirty-five years in service, remained in the system under the argument that their time as rank-and-file should not count—even though they were actively serving the country, receiving salaries, and benefiting from the system.

The current leadership of the PSC has now corrected this anomaly, aligning its decision with the principles of merger of service in the public sector. The earlier ruling was not only unfair but also a clear violation of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement upon the attainment of sixty years of age or thirty-five years in service—whichever comes first.

This decisive action, though difficult, is one of the most significant steps taken under Chairman Argungu’s leadership. It is a bold and timely move that reinforces discipline, meritocracy, and fairness in the Nigeria Police Force. It sends a strong message that impunity and disregard for service regulations will no longer be tolerated.

At a time when public confidence in law enforcement institutions is wavering, this development serves as a critical turning point. By ensuring that leadership within the Force adheres to established rules, the PSC is setting a precedent for accountability and good governance.

Without a doubt, this decision marks a defining moment in Argungu’s tenure. It is a step in the right direction—one that upholds the principles of justice, integrity, and institutional order.

Sani Musa is a Public Affairs Analyst.