Senate seeks end to IG, PSC clashes

The Senate on Thursday frowned at unending clashes between the Inspector General of Police and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission over recruitment exercise.

It accordingly urged the newly confirmed Chairman of PSC, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), to work harmoniously with the police authorities.

Senate’s comments on clashes between the IGP and the Chairman of PSC came after the confirmation of Argungu as Chairman of PSC, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani as Secretary, and Taiwo Lakanu as a member.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks after the confirmation of the nominees, said, “The Committee on Police Affairs should ensure oversight functions hereafter to avoid the mistakes of yesteryears, particularly the idea of the office of the Inspector-General of Police struggling with the Police Service Commission on issues of recruitment and thereby retarding the progress of security in the nation.”

He added, “In the last two years, we probably would have had an additional 20,000 Nigerians into the Nigerian Police Force, but unfortunately, as a result of personality clashes, the issues went as far as the Supreme Court.

“Whether withdrawn or not withdrawn, this Police Service Commission we have just cleared today, and the office of the Inspector-General of Police should be cautioned to take the interest of Nigerians into consideration and the security of this nation uppermost and not their interest and work harmoniously toward the realisation of Mr President’s vision that Nigerians should be allowed to sleep with their eyes closed.”