We are waiting for directives from the Presidency – PSC
Police Service Commission (PSC) is presently in a moment of disquiet and facing uncertainty as the presidency keeps mum on the expected retirement of Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris. The Vanguard has reported.
Idris, a controversial figure, completed his 35 years in service on Thursday, December 3, 2018, but the presidency is yet to confirm his current status as the nation’s number one cop as rumours of tenure extension for the Nupe-born IGP continues.
A source in the commission quoted in the report said the PSC was now waiting to see if any decision by the federal government would be communicated when IGP Idris turns 60 years of age on Tuesday, January 15.
According to civil service statutes, the occupant of the office of the Inspector General of Police is to resign after spending the mandatory 35 years in service or attaining 60 years of age, whichever came first.
A source at the commission, however, said there was nothing the PSC could do on its own, adding that they were still open to the window of the IGP attaining 60 years of age on January 15 to proceed on retirement, except the president felt otherwise.
Incidentally, more than 10 senior police officers, who were course mates of IGP Idris, who attained the mandatory 35 years in service, were duly retired in 2018. Among them are the former commissioner of police in charge of Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, Kola Shodipo; former commissioner of police, Kaduna state, Austin Iwar; CP Isaac Eke, and deputy commissioner of police Chinwuba Isiakpuna.
The police council made up of the 36 state governors, chaired by the president, is supposed to confirm a new Inspector General of Police if and when a new one is chosen by the president.
