Former Inspector‑General of Police Solomon Arase, now the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), said his administration will foster trust between the Nigeria Police Force and the general public while prioritising the welfare of police officers as a means of curbing corruption. Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja shortly after being sworn in by President (retired) Major General Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Arise emphasized that addressing corruption requires tackling its root causes through improved welfare.
Arise noted that corruption is a deep‑seated challenge in the Nigeria Police and can only be mitigated by ensuring officers’ basic needs are met. He asked, “How are we taking care of their welfare? How do we ensure that, upon retirement, they have decent housing? How do we support their children? Can we organise scholarship schemes for them? Can we provide the necessary equipment when they are deployed?” He added that respecting those who work for the force will encourage loyalty, likening it to a dog that wags its tail when its owner shows affection.
The new chairman also pledged to enhance police training by leveraging both local and international expertise, aiming to make the public view the police as an integral part of society. He affirmed that discipline will be upheld, stating that any officer who steps out of line will face consequences, while also emphasizing his commitment to sharpening officers’ skills as “colleagues and children.” Arise expects the commission to allow the Inspector‑General of Police to exercise operational control and for the IGP to respect the constitutional powers of the PSC.
The inauguration, which took place two months after the Senate confirmed Arise as PSC chairperson, followed President Buhari’s January 24, 2023 submission of Arise’s name to the Senate for confirmation under sections 153(1) and 154(1) of the Constitution. In the same ceremony, the President swore in five board members of the Code of Conduct Bureau: Murtala Kankia (Katsina State, North‑West), Zephaniah Bulus (Nasarawa State, North Central), Farouk Umar (Yobe State, North‑East), Taofeek Abdulsalam (Ondo State, South‑West), and Prof. Juwaria Badamasi (Kogi State, North Central).
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