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Solomon Arase: Getting It Right At The Police Service Commission* By Cletus Agada

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2 years ago

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Solomon Arase: Getting It Right At The Police Service Commission* By Cletus Agada

*Solomon Arase: Getting It Right At The Police Service Commission*

By Cletus Agada

 

 

 

The intelligence czar and former Inspector General of Police who brought so much innovation and creativity into policing while he held sway as the nation’s number one Cop has brought his signature of excellence to the administration of the Police Service Commission. Solomon Arase has dedicated his entire career to the advancement of social justice, safety, security and well-being of others as he joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1981, a year after he graduated from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. His adult life has been lived in service to fatherland and humanity.

 

 

 

 

Like a man who saw tomorrow, Mr Arase spent every of his free and not-so-free time developing himself, acquiring knowledge and skills that would eventually distinguish him from his peers. While combining work with studies, Mr Arase obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s Degree from the University of Lagos. He, by every standard, is a role model for young men and women who desire a successful career in public service.

 

Solomon Arase: Getting It Right At The Police Service Commission* By Cletus Agada

 

 

Slow but steady, his promotions came and everywhere he found himself, he was always a square peg in a square hole due to his over-preparedness. As Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, he was a super cop remembered for his work ethic, commitment to the welfare of his personnel and crime-bursting intelligence skills. His talent was never hidden. He also served as Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to Mr Sunday Ehindero and two others when they occupied the office of the IGP between 2002 and 2008.

 

 

 

It is indeed a record to serve three different IGPs as PSO and Mr Arase achieved this feat without blemish. This probably was the best preparations he got for the office which he later occupied at the pinnacle of his career when he became the 18th indigenous Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force. He had the opportunity to learn from the successes and mistakes of those before him and also had the time to think of what needed to be done to have a better force if given the opportunity.

 

 

 

No wonder, he ringed several positive changes as IGP and greatly improved the image of the Force, most especially in the area of respect for human rights and obedience to the rule of law, two key indicators that the Force had performed below average before his time. He established the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IGP – IRT) that burst several crimes in the country, most notably, the arrest of the notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans.

 

 

 

 

To address the issue of indiscipline and misconduct among men and officers of the Force, he also established the IGP Complaint Response Unit (IGP – CRU). It brought sanity to the force and reduced rights abuse and police brutality to its barest minimum as officers knew the consequences of any of their actions that went contrary to the rules of engagement.

 

 

 

On June 21, 2016, even though not tired, Mr Arase retired from Service after 35 years of meritorious and eventful service by Public Service rules. Like a South American professional football player who would go back to his country to end his career and impact on the younger generation after many years of professional football in Europe, Mr Arase went straight to his home State of Edo to assist the government. He was appointed to chair a task force responsible for the implementation of a State Anti-Community Development Association Law. This is the height of humility as the man who once controlled all the security apparatus of the nation’s Police Force could bend backwards just to give back to his community. He was also consulting for the European Centre for Election Support, and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo and dedicated more time to his work with the Committee on Prevention of Torture, Geneva Switzerland which is currently developing a universal protocol on Investigative Techniques.

 

 

 

 

The golden fish has no hiding place in the river, so they say and on January 24, 2023, former President Mohammadu Buhari recalled Mr Arase from his retirement from public service and appointed him the Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
The Commission was established by an Act of the National Assembly in 2001 and is saddled with oversight responsibilities and has the power to appoint dismiss, promote and discipline officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

 

 

 

 

A trusted, stable and reliable hand, the appointment of Mr Arase elicited joy in many quarters, most especially among stakeholders in the security sector. His first task in office was to create a harmonious working relationship between the commission and the Police Force. A dispute had broken out between his predecessor and the then IGP over some irreconcilable differences. He promised to build a new police force that’s attractive to the younger generation and wasted no time in putting his hands on the plough.

 

 

 

 

He identified the recruitment process as one of the biggest problems confronting the Force and moved immediately to change the narrative. He engaged the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB to conduct Computer Based Test, CBT for applicants to test their abilities. Mr Arase said the police need “personnel with mental mobility and fertile minds to excel and have a good working relationship with the public”. He said the nation must strive to build a police force that’s technology-driven and knowledge-based as that’s the only way to confront the security challenges facing the country. He insists that under his watch, admission into the Police Academy (POLAC/University) Wudil will be strictly by merit and that slots would not be shared by State Governors and other politicians.

 

 

 

 

A well-exposed former police officer who served on an international Peace-keeping assignment as part of the Nigerian contingent to the United Nations Mission in Namibia and a member of the International Bar Association, Mr Arase is conversant with international best practices as regards modern policing and has shown his readiness and commitment to domesticating those practices here at home.

 

 

 

 

He has promised that as long as he remains chairman of the commission, no single personnel, whether junior or senior who has no disciplinary issues would be allowed to stagnate in a rank. This sounds like great news for me those who have remained on the same rank for almost ten years. With the steps taken so far within a short period, most especially his commitment to the welfare of officers and men of the Force, and the elimination of corruption which has continued to ridicule the relentless efforts of our gallant officers, a new hope is rising and the morale of the personnel is high.

The task of building a civilian-friendly police force that can be trusted by the populace on issues of internal security rests squarely on the shoulders of Mr Arase and his men at the Police Service Commission and with the steps taken so far, Nigerians should expect a 21st century Police Force that enjoys the trust and confidence of all in the not too distant future.

Agada is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Governor Dauda Lawal Hails Troops for Successful Fight against Banditry, Terrorism across Zamfara State

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8 hours ago

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May 11, 2026

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Governor Dauda Lawal Hails Troops for Successful Fight against Banditry, Terrorism across Zamfara State

 

Governor Dauda Lawal has commended the troops of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma for achieving significant operational successes against bandits in Zamfara State. The troops of the Joint Task Force launched an elaborate and coordinated onslaught in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas of Zamfara State. Following the encounter, troops effectively neutralised three gang leaders and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition, which included an AK-47 rifle, a machine gun, a locally fabricated handgun, seven rifle magazines and a total of 571 rounds of ammunition.

 

Governor Lawal described the renewed military offensive as timely, particularly due to the successful operation recorded on May 10, 2026, which disrupted a significant gathering of notorious terrorist leaders and neutralised several commanders. The troops acted on an intelligence report that confirmed that the terrorists had converged at a concealed location in Tumfa Village, Shinkafi Local Government Area, with the intention to coordinate attacks and criminal activities targeting innocent communities in the state. The Air Component launched a precision airstrike on the identified terrorist hideout that successfully destroyed the structure, which served as the terrorists’ meeting point. The governor further reiterates Zamfara State Government’s commitment to ongoing support and logistics for the military and other security agencies operating in the state.

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Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land ‎

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19 hours ago

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May 11, 2026

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‎Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land
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‎By Ifeoma Ikem

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‎The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has rejected the alleged commercialisation of any unity schools land under the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) initiative.
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‎The association made its displeasure known during their awareness walk to protest the concession of the 33 hectares of land belonging to Federal Government College (FGC) Kano yesterday in Lagos.
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‎The members were carrying placards, some of which read “PPP: Save the Future”, “Protect Unity Schools”, “PPP must serve Education not land conversion” and “Schools are not for Real Estate”.
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‎President-General of the Unity Schools Old Students Association USOSA Michael Magaji says Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) was designed to improve public institutions, and not strip them of assets or reduce their land.
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‎Over 60 Unity schools members were drawn from across the nation for the awareness walk to protest against the alleged sale of the school lands.
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‎ The P-G said the association was advocating for a sustainable funding model that would preserve educational assets while improving infrastructure, manpower and learning conditions.
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‎“Our coming together is to restore the lost glory of Unity Schools and strengthen Nigeria’s education system. Unity schools are nation-building institutions that have produced leaders across various sectors.
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‎ “Unity Schools were not just about education, they were about integration built not by spectators but by active citizens that believe in one nation.
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‎ “ The alumni support PPP but oppose the sale of educational assets. Unity never happens by chance but designed, nurtured and protected,’’ he added.
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‎He added that the awareness walk brought about by the alumni across the nation was also to have a stronger network to revive the vision of the Unity Schools.
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‎Mr Humphrey Nwafor, Lagos Chapter President, Federal Government College, Kano Old Students Association said that they are pushing back against the alleged commercialisation of Unity School lands.
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‎Nwafor pointed out that the 33 hectares of land belonging to FGC Kano was concessioned without adequate consultation with stakeholders.
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‎“We are saying there is a better option. Instead of selling our lands and assets, we would rather fund the schools ourselves.
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‎“If the government says it does not have enough money to run the schools, the old students can provide support without taking one inch of the land,” he said.
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‎According to him, the concession arrangement involving the school’s land will undermine the future of unity schools, which were established in the first place to promote national integration.
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‎“These schools were established to unite Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and we are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that public educational assets are protected,” he added.
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‎He called on the Federal Government to leverage alumni networks in addressing funding challenges confronting unity schools.
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‎“We are in solution mode and impact mode and we believe alumni associations should be integrated into the process of repositioning these schools.
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‎“We recently met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and discussions are ongoing toward finding mutually beneficial solutions,” he said.
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‎Mr Alex Akindumila, President of FGC Idoani Alumni Association said the concession controversy was a national test of how public assets and educational institutions are being managed.
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‎He said that they are concerned that reducing lands allocated to unity schools could limit future expansion, agricultural projects, sports facilities, technical workshops and staff accommodation.
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‎“The lands allocated to unity schools were deliberate and visionary.“They were designed to ensure that the schools remain self-sustaining and adaptable to future needs.
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‎According to him, when you shrink the land of a unity school, you do not just reduce space, but reduce possibility , reduce ability to run agricultural programs that can feed students and teach enterprise, even the space required for sports facilities that build discipline, health and national pride.
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‎Also, Mrs Ifeoma Okeke, an alumna of FGC Nsukka, called for transparency, due process and stakeholder engagement in any PPP arrangement involving educational institutions.
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‎She said PPP agreements should align with the public purpose of the schools and not diminish their long-term capacity.
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‎“There must be transparency, competitiveness and proper stakeholder engagement in any concession process involving public educational assets,” she said.

 

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NAPS Southwest Condemns Delay in Passage of HND,/B.SC Dichotomy Bill, Issues 30 Days Ultimatum to Nigeria Senate and Federal House of Representative

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2 days ago

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May 10, 2026

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NAPS Southwest Condemns Delay in Passage of HND,/B.SC Dichotomy Bill, Issues 30 Days Ultimatum to Nigeria Senate and Federal House of Representative

 

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) Southwest has strongly condemned the continued delay in the passage of the bill aimed at ending the long-standing disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) qualifications in Nigeria. The association has described the delay as unjust, discriminatory, and harmful to the future of polytechnic education in the country.

The NAPS Southwest expressed deep frustration over what it called the unacceptable silence and inaction from the Nigerian Senate and Federal House of Representatives regarding the bill. The proposed legislation seeks to abolish the dichotomy between HND and B.Sc holders, a divide that has for years limited career progression opportunities for polytechnic graduates, particularly in the public sector.

This ongoing delay represents a significant policy gap that must be urgently addressed. The continued discrimination against HND holders contradicts the principles of equity, fairness, and meritocracy that should define Nigeria’s public service.

For years, polytechnic students and graduates have faced systemic discrimination in employment opportunities, career progression, and societal recognition an injustice that undermines the value of technical and vocational education in national development. The proposed bill represents a critical step toward equity, fairness, and the full recognition of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

We therefore call on the current administration and the National Assembly to prioritize the reintroduction and immediate passage of this critical legislation. Nigeria cannot afford to sideline a significant segment of its skilled workforce due to outdated and discriminatory policies.

It is therefore disheartening that the Nigeria Senate and House of Representatives has yet to act decisively on this matter of urgent national importance. The continued delay raises serious questions about the commitment of lawmakers to addressing the challenges faced by millions of Nigerian youths in the polytechnic system.

The NAPS southwest unequivocally calls on the Senate and House of Representatives to, without further delay, deliberate on and pass the bill to end the HND/B.Sc dichotomy. The future of countless students and graduates depends on this decisive action.

The continued delay in passing this bill is a direct attack on the dignity and future of millions of Nigerian students and graduates, the statement read. We cannot continue to tolerate a system that places artificial barriers on capable individuals simply because of the institution they attended.

Failure to meet this demand will leave NAPS Southwest with no choice but to mobilize Nigerian Polytechnic Students and Graduates across the country for peaceful but firm actions to press home our demands. We are prepared to take all legitimate steps necessary to ensure that justice is served.

NAPS Southwest has therefore issued a strong warning to the Senate and House of Representatives, urging lawmakers to prioritize and immediately pass the bill without further delay. The association made it clear that failure to act promptly would trigger nationwide protests and coordinated actions by Nigerian polytechnic students and graduates.

We urge all relevant stakeholders to initiate comprehensive reforms that will harmonize qualification frameworks, ensure equal opportunities for career advancement, and restore confidence in the civil service system.

NAPS Southwest remains committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of polytechnic students and graduates across Nigeria. We will continue to engage constructively with policymakers and mobilize support until justice is achieved.

Signed

Comr Ogunsola Adewale John
NAPS Southwest Coordinator
+234 704 720 2907

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