Solomon Arase

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja.

As of the time of filing this report, neither his family nor the Nigeria Police Force has issued an official statement confirming the development.

Arase, who served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, was later appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Before becoming IGP, he headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the police force’s top intelligence unit.

Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1980, and joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981.

President Muhammadu Buhari, has asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of a former Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase as the new chairman of Police Service Commission, PSC.

Buhari, in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and read during plenary on Tuesday, said the appointment is in accordance with the provision of section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Arase if confirmed by the Senate will replace the former chairman of the PSC and also a former IGP, Musliu Smith as a substantive chairman.

In another development, President Buhari also forwarded two names to be confirmed as Resident Electoral Commissioners for Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The new appointees are Dr. Mahmuda Isah from Kebbi State whose appointment is for renewal and Dr. Mann Omobayi Alli from Ondo State who is for new appointment.

Another letter received by the Senate is for the appointment of 5 members of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

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. Juwayriya Badamasiuy from Kogi State to represent (North Central).

President Buhari, therefore, urged the Senate to consider and confirm all the appointments in the usual expeditious manner.

The Senate is, however, yet to take any legislative action on the letters for the various appointments as senators are eager to suspend plenary to join the campaign train of their various political parties for the forthcoming general elections.