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The Delta State Police Command has announced the assumption of duty of CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, psc, mnips, as the 25th Commissioner of Police in the state.
CP Erale takes over from CP Yemi John Oyeniyi, psc, acipm, mnips, following his posting to the command in August 2026.
Born on March 2, 1968, at Pedro Police Barracks, Shomolu, Lagos State, the new Commissioner hails from Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which he obtained in 1992.
He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1994 as a member of Course 18 Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police and began his professional career in Kogi State Command.
His career has spanned several police commands and formations, including Kogi, Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States, as well as Zone 7 Headquarters and the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
CP Erale also served with the Nigeria Police Force contingent on a United Nations peace-support mission in Kosovo in 2000, gaining international policing and peacekeeping experience.
A significant part of his career was spent in the Police Mobile Force (PMF), where he served for 14 years, including nine years as a Squadron Commander. His extensive operational experience also saw him serve in various command and administrative capacities.
Among his previous assignments were Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command; Personal Assistant to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, Abuja; Provost, Police Mobile Force; Squadron Commander, MOPOL 33, Ekiti State; Squadron Commander, MOPOL 26, Akwa Ibom; and senior administrative and operational positions at the Force Headquarters and the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.
Before his elevation to the rank of Commissioner of Police, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Rivers State Command, from 2022 to 2026, and later as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Community Safety and Crime Prevention, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The new Commissioner was also deployed as Commissioner of Police in charge of Elections during the recently concluded off-cycle elections in Osun State, where the police said his operational leadership contributed to the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
CP Erale is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Institute of Police Studies, where he obtained the MNIPS qualification.
He has attended several professional and tactical courses, including Advanced Detective Course; Small Arms and Explosives Course at the International Law Enforcement Academy, Gaborone, Botswana; Tactical Leadership and Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos; Peace Support Course at the National Defence College; and Strategic and Senior Command Course.
The Delta State Police Command described CP Erale as a tested and trusted operational commander, whose career has been marked by professionalism, discipline, commitment to duty, personnel management and public safety.
With his extensive experience in operations, administration, criminal investigation, community safety and international policing, his assumption of office is expected to strengthen the Delta State Command’s efforts toward maintaining peace, security and public order across the state.
CP Erale is married with children. He enjoys badminton and brisk walking in his leisure time.
The announcement was contained in a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD, and dated August 31, 2026.
