ASABA, DELTA STATE — The Delta State Police Command has welcomed its 25th Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, who has assumed duty as the new head of the command.
Erale takes over from CP Yemi John Oyeniyi and brings to the command more than three decades of operational, administrative, tactical and investigative policing experience.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying Erale was posted to Delta State in August 2026 after serving as Commissioner of Police in charge of security for the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.
The command described the new commissioner as a “tested and trusted operational commander” whose career has been marked by professionalism, discipline, commitment to duty and strong operational leadership.
Erale, who hails from Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, was born on March 2, 1968, at Pedro Police Barracks, Shomolu, Lagos State.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1992, and joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1994 as a member of Course 18 Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police.
His policing career began in Kogi State Command and subsequently took him to several commands and formations, including Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers and Osun states, as well as Zone 7 Headquarters and Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the statement, Erale spent 14 years in the Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), including nine years as a Squadron Commander.
His extensive experience in tactical operations, the command said, informed his deployment as Commissioner of Police in charge of security for the Osun State governorship election.
The Delta Command described the election assignment as one of the “most peaceful and successful elections in recent times.”
Erale also served at the Office of the Force Secretary, Force Headquarters, Abuja, including the Promotions Section, before moving to the Special Investigation Unit of the Force Criminal Investigation Department.
His previous appointments include Squadron Commander, MOPOL 33, Ekiti; Squadron Commander, MOPOL 26, Akwa Ibom; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Rivers State Command; and Deputy Commissioner, Community Safety and Crime Prevention, Force Headquarters.
The new Delta CP has undergone several professional and specialised training programmes, including the Advanced Detective Course; Small Arms and Explosives Course at the International Law Enforcement Academy, Gaborone, Botswana; Tactical Leadership and Command Course; Peace Support Course; and Strategic and Senior Command Course.
The command said the various appointments and training programmes had equipped Erale with extensive experience in police operations, administration, criminal investigation, personnel management, community safety and international policing.
He also served with a United Nations mission in Kosovo in 2000.
Erale is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Institute of Police Studies.
The statement said the new commissioner is married with children and enjoys badminton and brisk walking during his leisure time.
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