ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. THE Police Council has confirmed Mr. Solomon Arase as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The confirmation came during a meeting of the council presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The council is made up of president as the chairman, state governors, chairman and members of the Police Service Commission.
The new IGP confirmed the news to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, saying in response to a question: “I have just been confirmed.”
He was appointed acting Inspector-General of Police on April 21, 2015 following the removal of Suleiman Abba from office.
Speaking on what was discussed during the meeting, Arase added: “We talked about the security challenges we are having and our strategic responses to addressing those challenges. I can assure Nigerians that we are going to address these issues.”
He dismissed suggestions that the present security situation was the worst the country has ever witnessed since the civil war.
Arase said: “No, I don’t think that is true. I don’t think it is the worst security situation we are facing. There is no society that is actually crime-free but we are trying to ensure that it is within tolerable level. It is not as bad as the public perceives it.”
He expressed his determination to enforce the dismantling of roadblocks in the country, saying: “We already have an enforcement policy in place. Sixteen teams have moved out across the length and breadth of this country to ensure there is strict compliance to that order.”
Arase assured that he would treat the welfare of the officers and men of the police force as a priority, adding: “To my men, I will tell them that their welfare will be number one on my cardinal responsibilities. You don’t motivate a workforce except their welfare is paramount. I’m going to ensure that their welfare is going to be put on the front burner.
“To Nigerians, I know that their expectations are high but I can assure them that no Nigerian will suffer any injustice by my inaction or action.”
Also speaking to reporters, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro, revealed that Jonathan gave a hint on why he sacked Abba as IGP.
Asked to speak on why the former police boss was removed, he said: “I may not attempt to answer that question because I’m not part of the Presidency that removed him, so I cannot give adequate answer. Though at the meeting, the president tried to explain to members, based on the question raised by one of the governors that Nigerians may want to know why the former IGP was removed.
“The president, in a very brief way said, during the period of the former IGP, a lot of indiscipline was noticed among the rank and file of the police and as such, he felt that a new IG should come and try his luck. That is what he said, though I cannot give details of that.”
Credit: Tribune (Nigeria)
