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•Ex-IGP says welfare of personnel, discipline’ll be top priority
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari, has sworn in former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase as new chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Arase took his oath of office, yesterday, at the council chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in the presence of Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and other FEC members.
Arase, 65, is the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police and reigned between April 2015 and June 2016.
He served in various capacities, including Head of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the foremost intelligence-gathering unit of the Nigerian police.
His nomination was confirmed recently by the Senate.
Arase in an interview with State House Correspondents, after his swearing in promised to prioritise the welfare of officers and men of the Police.
He also promised to address corruption and recurring issues between the IGP and PSC.
“We’ll ensure that we continue to put our local and international expertise at their disposal. We will be strong in training in various areas especially alternative dispute resolution. The issue of discipline will be taken seriously. I will not want a situation where civil situations arise. So any officer who steps out of the line, there will be consequences,” he said.
Arase said he would enhance manpower capacity and capability of police and ensure they have confidence in themselves.
“With more training, the trust gap between members of the public and the police will be bridged. That is what I want to do. That members of the public will collaborate with the police force; see them as part of the larger society.”
The President also swore-in five board members of the Code of Conduct Bureau, they include Murtala Kankia from Katsina State (North-West); Zephaniah Bulus from Nasarawa State (North Central) and Farouk Umar from Yobe State (North East), Taofeek Abdulsalam from Ondo State (South West) and Prof. Juwaria Badamasi from Kogi State (North Central).
The Council presided over by President Buhari, also observed a moment of silence in honour of former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (retd) who died on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Diya also served as Vice Chairman Provisional Ruling Council under the Gen. Sani Abacha-led military regime. As Chief of General Staff, he was second in command and de facto vice president of Nigeria from 1994 to 1997.
