Dr Solomon Arase, chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), has promised to settle the rift between the commission and the Nigeria Police Force.

According to a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC’s head of press and public relations, Mr Arase offered the promise when he visited some members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

He called the current schism between the two organizations as embarrassing, blaming it on misconceptions and suspicion.

Mr Arase stated that it was in the best interests of the country for the two organizations to collaborate and work in a more transparent, responsible, and responsive manner.

“My appointment as chairman of the commission came at a critical juncture in our national life, when the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force were embroiled in an apparently intractable dispute.”

“Unfortunately, this schism over roles and powers has exacerbated and degenerated into a series of lawsuits.”

“In the midst of the raging dismay and belligerence, it is the Nigerian people who suffer because neither the PSC nor the Nigeria Police can function effectively without each other’s support and cooperation,” he stated.

As a result, Mr Arase stated that he will continue to take deliberate steps to achieve the necessary peace, cordiality, and harmony between the two important institutions of government.

“I set out with a vision and mission to de-escalate and contain the raging conflict, douse the disquiet, and restore peace, understanding, and cooperation between the two institutions,” he continued.

According to him, this is required in order to put the country’s security sector reform into action.

The PSC chairman stated that the two organizations’ collaboration would also assure higher outcomes and success in their activities.

Mr Arase stated that so far, peace has been restored and trust has been developed between the PSC and the Nigeria Police, adding that all thorny matters would be settled amicably shortly.

(NAN)