President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the death of the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, CFR, who died yesterday at 69.
President Tinubu commiserated with the family, friends and associates of the highly resourceful officer. Arase’s reforms as IGP and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission brought lasting changes to the force.
The President acknowledged the dedication of the former IGP to enhancing security in the country, through initiatives such as the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit, and Safer Highway Patrols.
Reflecting on Arase’s laudable service to the country, President Tinubu remarked, “Arase served the police force meritoriously from 1981 to 2016. During his career, he led tactical, operational, and intelligence units, including United Nations Peacekeeping in Namibia, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, and the Principal Staff Officer to three IGPs.
“He was Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department.
“After retirement, he continued to serve the nation in various public roles, including as Chairman of the Police Service Commission and as head of the Task Force on implementing the Edo State Anti-Community Development Association Law.
“His expertise extended to consultancy roles with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the European Centre for Electoral Support, the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo, and as a member of the Committee on Prevention of Torture in Geneva, Switzerland.”
“I pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of this dedicated security expert, whose experience and contributions will be deeply missed by our nation”.
Also yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr Solomon Arase, former I-G, who passed away in Abuja.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement yesterday, that the I-G visited the family in Abuja to offer sympathies on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force.
Egbetokun conveyed his condolences to the family, friends, and former colleagues, acknowledging the deep loss and praying for comfort and peace during this difficult time.
The I-G also commended Arase’s significant contributions to police reforms and national security, noting that his legacy would remain forever in the hearts of the force and the nation.
Adejobi revealed that the news of Arase’s passing was officially communicated to the I-G by his eldest son, Mr. Solomon Arase Jr., on Sunday.
Dr Arase was born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government, Edo State.
He earned a Political Science degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and further degrees in Law from the University of Benin, University of Lagos, and a Ph.D. in Public Law from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
He joined the Nigeria Police Force on Dec. 1, 1981, and served with distinction throughout his career.