The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Hashimu Argungu as the chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Also confirmed as secretary and member were Onyemuche Nnamani and Frederick Lakanu.

This followed the adoption of the report of the Committee on Police Affairs at the Committee of the Whole on Thursday.

Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Abdulhamid Ahmed (APC-Jigawa), said there is no petition or adverse security report against their nomination.

He said their qualifications, track record of excellence, professional services and cognate experience confirmed and affirmed their suitability and competence to be appointed for the positions.

He, therefore, urged the Senate to confirm the nominees.

Contributing, Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) said the committee performed its duties as was requested by the Senate.

Ahmad Lawan(APC-Yobe) commended the committee for thoroughly screening the nominees. He said the nominees were all qualified for the positions, expressing hope that they would perform creditably.

He said there was a disagreement between the office of the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission on who should recruit new police officers, saying that the matter ended at the Supreme Court.

Mr Lawal said this was a bad experience, saying the Senate must insist that whatever issues between the two organisations should be resolved.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee on police affairs should ensure oversight functions to avoid the mistakes of the past, particularly the idea of the office of the Inspector-General of Police struggling with the PSC on issues of recruitment.

“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“Whether withdrawn or not withdrawn, this police service commission we have just cleared today.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 so Office of the Inspector-General of Police should be cautioned to take the interest of Nigerians into consideration and security of this nation uppermost and not their personal interest.

“They should work harmoniously toward the realisation of Mr President’s vision that Nigerians should be allowed to sleep with their eyes closed,” Mr Akpabio said.

(NAN)