12th September, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Parry Osayande, at the weekend, revealed that the appointment of Solomon Arase as the Inspector-General of Police was the first appointment based on merit in the history of the Nigeria Police Force.
Osayande who made the revelation while speaking at a reception organized for Arase in Benin by the Edo State Government, said Arase whom he first met as a DSP, displayed the charisma of a leader.
Corroborating Osayande’s comment, another former Chairman of Police Service Commission and a retired Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, also corroborated Osayande’s revelation. He described Arase as a “sound police officer, an erudite scholar” who “has brought professionalism to the police force,” and called for support for him.
Arase who was accompanied by his wife and children to the event, described himself as a child of destiny, noted that, he would use his position for the betterment of the force and security for Nigerians.
“I was promoted and demoted. And for an Edo to rise to become a commissioner of police, it takes you about 28 or 35 years.
“That I was able to become a commissioner of police and also become an Inspector General of Police is divine providence. I was not the best. Ask Parry Osayande, ask Magnus Eweka, they were fantastic officers but they never got to the top. That I was able to get to the top was divine providence.
“There is one thing that defines an Edo man, excellence, hardwork and integrity and that is my defining character. I have fought so many battles, I have won some, but this one is the defining moment to become the first Edo man to become the Inspector General of Police. To me, it is a defining moment.
“When I became the Inspector-General of Police, I said I was going to dismantle road blocks, I dismantle it and it will never come back. I said I was going to put a structure in place that will ensure that the vacuum that has been created by the road block will not be abridged and I assure you that I am going to do that,” Arese said.
Commenting on security challenges in Edo state, the Inspector-General said he has declared total war on cultism and cult related clashes in Edo state and other parts of the country, stressing that he was determined to put an end to the inglorious activities of rival cult groups that have claimed several lives.
“We have serious issues. Edo state has issues with cultism, I will continue to deal with them, and I will continue to arrest them. I have insisted that nobody in Edo state, no matter how highly placed, can make sure that the interest of Edo state is abridged.
Apparently making reference to those who were arrested for cultism in the state, among whom were some officials of the state government, Arase vowed to deal with all unrepentant cult members, no matter how highly placed.
“Issues of cultism, all of you who are involved in cultism, you will be dealt with, I will not spare you, whether you are in government or not. I will ensure that I deal with all of you. I have brought a commissioner of police here. He was the one that first came to ensure that the issues of cultism was dealt with, he was taken away. Now I have brought him back and I am sure he is back here to complete the directives that I have given to him,” he said.
He called on the people of the state and other parts of the country to complement the efforts of both the state governments and federal government in ensuring security for all.
In his speech, host Governor Adams Oshiomhole said the people of the state were “very proud that one of us simply on the basis of merit, has been picked as the IG.
“I want us to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari because he appreciates merit and that is why we are here to celebrate our brother and he is also laying a foundation for the building of institution so that if you are good, you remain in office on the basis of merit. Other Service Chiefs have been removed but our own has remained. This is the time to recognise merit and efficiency.
“Nigerian Police is the most misunderstood institution, but I believe that with present administration, we believe that the police will be better with better training, motivation, remuneration and equipment now that the IG has the determination to reposition the Nigerian police. I urge all us to support the Nigerian Police even as the executive will make more resources available for the Force,” Oshiomhole, adding that, the state government would support the police with N200 million to renovate the Ogida Barracks.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Julius Ihonvbere, said Arase was a good example of an intellectual heading the police force.
Among dignitaries at the event were the state Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, Senator Domingo Obende, Benin Palace chiefs, Prince Edun Akenzua, personnel of various security agencies, former chairman of Police Service Commission, Parry Osayande and others.