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

The appointment is however, subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

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

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

Following Smith’s resignation, retired Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, took over as acting chairman of the Commission.

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

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

He also headed the Police ICT Department and set the standards being used to run the place, thus improving on the NPF scientific approach to investigation.

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. 

He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy before he retired from active service in 2015.

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 and ICT Departments. 

He is a Fellow of the National War College and had served in Namibia during a United Nations peacekeeping mission.