The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC),has raised serious concerns over the ongoing institutional crisis between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The CSO, therefore, called for urgent legislative review, and immediate compliance with public service rules.

A statement by Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, noted that the crisis threatened the rule of law, undermined accountability, and eroded public trust in Nigeria’s governance and security institutions.

CISLAC reaffirmed the statutory authority of the PSC under Sections 6 and 7 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001.

The group noted that the PSC was mandated to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over Nigeria Police Force personnel (excluding the Inspector General of Police).

This mandate, the Executive Director, said was further reinforced by Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, granting the PSC oversight authority on police appointments and discipline.

“Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii) mandates the compulsory retirement of public officers, including senior police officers, who have served for 35 years or reached the age of 60. This regulation is designed to uphold the integrity and efficiency of security institutions by enabling leadership renewal and preventing tenure manipulation,” Rafsanjani said.

CISLAC strongly condemned the alleged directive by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, instructing senior officers who had attained the mandatory retirement threshold to remain in service pending further directives.

According to him, “This action constitutes a clear violation of the PSC’s statutory authority, undermines the principle of separation of powers, and fosters unnecessary institutional conflicts.”

He further criticised the amendment to the 2020 Police Act, which granted the IGP a fixed four-year tenure regardless of age or service years.