Police Service Commission Announces New Appointments and Reassignments
New Commissioner Appointments
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has officially announced the appointment of CP Ahmed Opara as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This development was confirmed in a statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations for the PSC.
CP Opara succeeds CP Benneth Igwe, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police and assigned to Zone 7, Abuja, as the Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police. Opara’s appointment reflects a significant shift in leadership within the police force.
Prior to his new role, CP Opara served as CP in the Force Secretary’s office and was the Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance for the Imo State Command. His extensive experience in various police roles includes serving as Personal Assistant to former Police Service Commission Chairman, IGP Mike Okiro (Rtd).
Opara’s career also encompasses roles such as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Legal Studies at the Police Academy (POLAC) in Wudil, Kano, Area Commander in Aba and Uyo, Area Crime Officer in Kubwa, and Senior Deputy Defence Adviser at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. Additionally, he has frequently served as a Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of Works and Operations, and the Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Command.
The PSC has also endorsed the Inspector-General of Police’s recommendation to appoint CP Festus Eribo as the new Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State Command. Eribo takes over from CP Miller Gagere Dantawaye, who is among the four Commissioners of Police recommended for reassignment.
CP Festus Eribo, who holds a law degree from the University of Calabar, has previously served as the Liaison Officer at the Police Service Commission and as Assistant Commissioner for Federal Operations at Force Headquarters. His extensive career includes roles as Area Commander for Area M and Area F in Lagos, and service in the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Additionally, Eribo has held positions as Area Commander in Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State, Deputy Commissioner for the Zonal CID in Zone 9, Umuahia, Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the Kogi State Command, and substantive Commissioner of Police in Taraba State.
The PSC had earlier sanctioned the postings of four Commissioners of Police, including those in Abia, Lagos, and Ebonyi. These changes are part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the operational efficiency and leadership within the Nigeria Police Force.
The appointments and reassignments reflect the PSC’s commitment to ensuring effective and responsive leadership across the police force, with a focus on improving overall performance and addressing the evolving security needs of the nation.
