By Hosea Parah, Abuja
Dr. Solomon Arase, retired Inspector General of Police and current Chairman of the Police Service Commission, received a delegation from the Human and Environmental Developmental Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre. HEDA is a Nigerian organization dedicated to promoting good governance, combating corruption, and advocating for environmental justice.
A statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani Head, Press and Public Relations
Friday, Reflecting on the tenure as Chairman, Dr. Arase acknowledged the shift in his role from giving orders as Inspector General of Police to mediating and arbitrating between different and sometimes opposing views. He acknowledged the challenges but expressed his commitment to taking the Commission to the next level.
Dr. Arase disclosed that he successfully relocated the Commission to its corporate office in Jabi, Abuja after twelve years of construction stalemate. He emphasized his dedication to facilitating citizen interactions with law enforcement agencies, ultimately aiming to provide good governance.
Furthermore, Dr. Arase pledged to improve the conditions of service for Commission staff, police officers, and men. He recognized that the lack of an effective Police Service has led to the proliferation of security agencies. He also stated that pre-trial detention would be reviewed and potentially phased out, and that police involvement in civil matters would be reconsidered. He emphasized the importance of training to win over those few policemen who may still need support.
Assuring his guests, Dr. Arase announced that the Commission would collaborate with HEDA in organizing zonal trainings, with plans to replicate them in different states. He expressed optimism about the future of security sector reforms, stating that he had not lost hope and was committed to partnering with HEDA to bring about positive change.
Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA, visited Dr. Arase to discuss the organization’s policy briefs, which address different layers of government in Nigeria. These briefs include “Corruption Crackdown,” which calls for action from anti-corruption agencies and law enforcement agencies; “Power and Justice,” which focuses on leading the fight against corruption; and “Guardians of Justice,” which emphasizes the role of the judiciary in combating corruption.