Buhari Appoints Former Police Inspector General, Arase

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Solomon Arase, a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The appointment is subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

This was disclosed in a letter submitted before the lawmakers at plenary on Tuesday.

If confirmed that Arase will succeed Musiliu Smith, another former IGP who resigned under controversial circumstances last year.

Following Smith’s resignation, retired judge Clara Ogunbiyi took over as acting governor.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Arase as IGP in 2015 after sacking Suleiman Abba for alleged disloyalty.

Before his appointment as IGP, Arase was head of the topmost intelligence-gathering unit of the Nigeria Police Force, the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau.

Born on June 21, 1956 in the Owan West Local Government, Edo state, he attended Ahmadu Bello University for his undergraduate studies and graduated with a political science degree in 1980.

He was recruited into the police a year after on December 1, 1981. He also obtained another bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Benin as well as a master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

Arase served in various capacities in the police force, including as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and as Assistant Inspector General in the intelligence gathering unit. He is a Nigerian Defence Academy Fellow who served in Namibia during a United Nations peacekeeping mission.