The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the appointment of CP Peter Ukachi Opara as the new Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He succeeds CP Benneth Igwe, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).
Prior to this appointment, CP Opara served as the CP in the Force Secretary’s Office and held various significant positions, including Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance in the Imo State Police Command. He was also a personal assistant to former PSC Chairman, IGP Mike Okiro (rtd), and served as DCP Legal Studies at the Police Academy (POLAC), Wudil, Kano State.
His extensive career also includes roles as 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, New York. He has previously served as a personal assistant to several high-ranking police officials, including an IGP, DIG Works, DIG Operations, and the CP of Lagos State Command.
In a related development, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani announced the commission’s approval of CP Festus Eribo as the new Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, replacing CP Miller Gagere Dantawaye. CP Eribo, a law graduate from the University of Calabar, has served in various capacities, including Liaison Officer at the PSC, Assistant Commissioner of Federal Operations at Force Headquarters, and Area Commander in several commands across Lagos and Nasarawa.
He has also served as Deputy Commissioner of Operations in Kogi State, as well as Commissioner of Police in Taraba State. His vast experience and leadership across multiple police commands were key factors in his selection for the Akwa Ibom role.