President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing of Nigeria’s indigenous 18th Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, saying the nation will miss the experience and contributions of the dedicated security expert.
Condoling with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the family of the highly resourceful officer, Mr Solomon Ehigiator Arase (CFR), 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.
President Tinubu also commiserated with friends and associates of the deceased,
He recalled Arase’s reforms as IGP and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission, saying it brought lasting changes to the force.
Reflecting on Arase’s laudable service to the country, President Tinubu remarked that the late 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 the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the 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.”
The President prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the former Inspector General of Police, adding that the nation will sorely miss his experience and contributions.
“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.”
Solomon Ehigiator Arase died on Sunday at age 69.
Solomon Ehigiator Arase, born on the 21st of June 1956, was a Nigerian police officer.
He served as the Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission, and he was appointed Chairman in January 2023 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Arase also served as the 18th Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police (IGP) after Suleiman Abba.
Before he was appointed IGP, Arase was head of the topmost intelligence-gathering unit of the Nigerian police, the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau.