The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate retirement of senior police officers implicated in an age falsification scandal, which includes over 300 officers, some of whom have served beyond the 60-year retirement age or the 35-year service threshold.
Among those affected are Simon Lough, SAN, the Head of the NPF Legal Section, and Benneth Igweh, a former Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner, both of whom have been named in the investigation.
These officers, who have been in service longer than their official tenure allows, are part of a larger group implicated in falsifying their age records to extend their careers.
The directive, outlined in a letter dated February 1, 2025, and signed by CP Bode Akinbamilowo, Deputy Force Secretary, comes after a meeting by the Police Service Commission (PSC).
The letter instructs senior police officials, including Deputy Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police, to ensure compliance with the retirement order.
This decision was initially communicated by the PSC in a meeting held on January 31, 2025, where it was resolved that all officers over 60 years old or those who had served for 35 years should retire immediately.
The PSC further emphasized that this order also applies to any subsequent omissions of officers who fall under these categories.
Lough, whose original retirement date was January 8, 2022, and Igweh, who should have retired on January 5, 2023, are among the officers who have exceeded their service periods.
Other senior officers named in the directive include Akinbayo Olasukami Olasoji, Louis Chike Nwabuwa, Mukar Sule, Adamu Danjuma, Ajao Olusegun, and Iriemi Solomon.
The PSC had previously issued an order in its 1st extraordinary meeting, where over 300 officers were implicated in falsifying their age records.
This scandal prompted investigations into senior officers, including Lough, Igweh, and others.
In related developments, it was revealed that officers involved in age falsification would be quietly retired by police authorities, and some, like AIG Lafia Abdulyari, will face demotion.
Those implicated will also be required to repay the funds they unlawfully received for their extended service years.
The PSC emphasized that its decision aims to rectify issues with police officers’ enlistment dates, aligning with public service rules governing retirement at 35 years of service or 60 years of age.
