The Delta State police command has announced the assumption of duty of Samuel Erale as the 25th commissioner of police in the state.

Mr Erale, born on March 2, 1967 at Pedro police barracks, Shomulu, Lagos State, takes over from Yemi Oyeniyi, who previously served as the state’s commissioner of police.

Mr Erale hails from Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. 

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1992, before joining the Nigeria Police Force in 1994 as a member of Course 18 Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police.

The new commissioner began his policing career in Kogi State and has since served in several commands and formations across the country.

His career also includes international peacekeeping experience, having served with the Nigeria Police Force contingent on a United Nations mission in Kosovo in 2000.

According to the command, Mr Erale served at the Office of the Force Secretary, Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he worked in the Promotions Section at different ranks, including as a Chief Superintendent of Police and later an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

He also served at the Special Investigation Unit of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.

His previous postings include Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Osun and Kogi state commands, as well as Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, and Force Headquarters.

The positions he has previously held includes Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Personal Assistant to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at Zone 7, Abuja, and Provost of the Police Mobile Force between 2004 and 2008.

He was the Squadron Commander of MOPOL 33 in Ekiti State from 2008 to 2013 and also served as CSP Administration in the Osun State police command.