The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, is not retiring in March, despite reaching the age of 60.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, revealed this information to journalists on Monday in Abuja. It had been anticipated that Mr Baba would step down from his position on March 1st upon reaching the age of 60.
On April 6th, 2021, he was appointed IGP and was confirmed two months later by the Police Council. Mr Dingyadi clarified that the Police Act 2020 grants the IGP a four-year term which cannot be interrupted by reaching the retirement age.
“Let me say that by the provision of the Police Act 2020, the IG is now supposed to have a kind of four-year period and Mr. President has already given him letter of appointment in that regard.” So the issue of IG going out during this election period does not arise,” he said.
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The Police Act 2020 was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari On Thursday, 17 September 2020 into law. The Presidency stated that the Act among other things, established a fit-for-purpose funding framework for the Nigerian Police Force (the “Force”) to bring it in line with what obtains in other key federal institutions.
They also expressed optimism that the Act would amplify police professionalism through increased training opportunities, creating a proper template for symbiotic relations between the Force and local communities.
Some Nigerians had expressed concern about the retirement of the IGP at the time the country will be conducting the forthcoming general elections.
