The Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (CRAN) has facilitated with the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase as the new Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Acting AIG, Sylvester Alabi , Commissioners of Police: Ari Mohammed Ali and Frank Mba on their promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.
CRAN, the association of Journalists covering the crime beat nationwide emphasised that the choice of Arase in this exalted position did not come as a surprise “but rather, it is a move in the right direction and an express indication of putting a round peg in a round hole, owing to his antecedents andimpressive performance during his short stint as the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police”.
In a statement signed by the CRAN President, Lekan and Secretary, Niran Odufayo respectively, the association said that with this appointment, there is no doubt that Arase is saddled with the responsibility of repositioning the Nigeria Police in all its ramifications, giving the seeming fall out between the Police and the populace .
“Having gone through the Nigeria Police Force to reach its apex, it is expected that Arase will come up with strategic thrusts that will address the Service’s bridge function, by ensuring that extra judicial killings and human rights abuses are curbed.
“In addition, CRAN is optimistic that he will bring his exposure and intellectual competence to bear, especially in the Commission’s appointments, promotions, discipline, dismissal and welfare functions, as empowered by the Nigerian Constitution”, the statement said.
“While advising that the appointment function must follow holistic selection that consider a broad range of factors for short and long term benefits, CRAN as an association will support Arase to succeed, as long as he puts in the necessary policy thrusts that will make the Nigeria Police Force better than it is at present” the statement read.
Similarly, CRAN also joins well wishers to felicitate with the Commander, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Tunji Disu, on his elevation to the rank of Commissioner of Police.
“Having followed the trajectory of these fine senior police officers as an association, their inclusion in the list of officers promoted , as announced by the Police Service Commission, could not have come at a better time than now, when their professionalism and expertise are needed to fill the vacant positions orchestrated by the recent retirement of some senior police officers.