- Ex-IGP assumes office as commission’s boss
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase (retd.) assumed office yesterday as the new Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Arase, who met with top officers of the commission and reporters, promised to make the welfare of the commission’s workers and police officers his priority.
The former IGP assured all that his relationship with the commission’s workers would be cordial.
President Muhammadu Buhari swore in the new PSC boss on Wednesday before the commencement of the week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, two months after the Senate confirmed him for the position.
Addressing reporters, Arase said: “The only thing that I crave for now is how I will be able to impact the officers and men of the Police Service Commission. That is what my legacy will be. The relationship will be smooth; national interest should be paramount.
“I cannot work in a toxic environment. I can only perform when I have a peaceful environment, and I will encourage that.
“I actually assumed duty this morning (yesterday) and I felt the first thing I should do is to meet with the directors and other members of staff of the commission for us to be able to chat a new course.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), after I was inaugurated. I said there is going to be a change in our relationship with the oversight function with the Nigerian Police Force.
“Most of the things we have had in recent times have been some disquiet in the relationship when it comes to the issues of who has the responsibility to do one thing or the other.
“The major aspect that we have not talked about that the commission is supposed to be stronger is the issue of the security sector reform. That is where I am going to seek your cooperation to see how we can move forward.
“We are going to be open to journalists and we will not want speculations.”