By Marcus Ikechukwu
Solomon Arase, a former inspector-general of police (IGP), has assumed duty as the chairman of the police service commission (PSC) following an official swearing in by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
The ceremony which took place at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa, coincided with the inauguration of five members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The event preceded the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting also chaired by the President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Former IGP Arase took over as chairman of the PSC, following the resignation of another former Inspector-General of Police, Musiliu Smith, who was reported to have been advised by the PSC Board to resign in September 2022.
Arase, 65, who retired in 2016, was the 18th indigenous inspector-general of police (between April 2015 and June 2016) and has served in various capacities, including as head of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the foremost intelligence-gathering unit of the Nigerian police.
Buhari also swore in five persons as members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
They are Murtala A. Kankia from Katsina to represent (North West); Zephaniah Ishaku Bulus from Nasarawa to represent (North Central) and Farouq Umar from Yobe state to represent (North East).
Others are, Abdulsalam Taofiq Olawale from Ondo State to represent (South West) and Prof. Juwaria Badamasiuyi from Kogi State to represent (North Central).
Former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya was also honoured by FEC with a minute silence.
Diya, who served as the Chief of General Staff to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, died on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at the age of 79.
He was the military governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985.
Meanwhile, in an interview with newsmen, the former IGP promised to prioritize the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force.
He also promised to address the issue of corruption and the recurring differences between the IGP and the Police Service Commission.
