The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have exceeded 60 years of age or have served for more than 35 years.
Those affected include Simon Lough, SAN, the Head of the NPF Legal Section, and Benneth Igweh, a former FCT Commissioner of Police. Both, along with several others, are accused of forgery, falsification of records, and bypassing service regulations.
The directive was issued in a February 1, 2025, letter signed by CP Bode Akinbamilowo, Deputy Force Secretary, and addressed to senior police officials. It followed a January 31, 2025, directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC).
The PSC, led by DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), had earlier approved the immediate retirement of officers above 60 or with over 35 years of service. Any officers omitted from the list would also be retired upon discovery.
Among those affected are:
Simon Asamber Lough, SAN – Should have retired on January 8, 2022.
Benneth Chinedu Igweh – Should have retired on January 5, 2023.
Akinbayo Olasukami Olasoji
Louis Chike Nwabuwa
Mukar Sule
Adamu Danjuma
Ajao Olusegun
Iriemi Solomon
Reports indicate that over 300 senior police officers were involved in age falsification, prompting an IGP-ordered probe. Those affected include AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Abdul Yari, CP Peter Ukachi Opara, CP Obo Obo Ukani, and ACP Akpan Brown.
Sources say Igweh and Lough had extended their service beyond the legal limit, with Igweh allegedly over 70 years old. AIG Idowu Owohunwa altered his records to push his retirement to 2029 instead of 2025.
As part of the directive, affected officers must repay salaries and benefits received for the extra years they fraudulently served. Meanwhile, AIG Lafia Abdulyari will be demoted to Superintendent of Police (SP).
The PSC justified its decision by stating that its 2017 policy on enlistment date retirement contradicted Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement at 35 years of service or 60 years of age.
The IGP has vowed strict enforcement, while affected officers face dismissal, demotion, or repayment of illegally obtained benefits.
