President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who died on Sunday at the age of 69.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Arase as a highly resourceful officer whose reforms brought lasting changes to the Nigeria Police Force.
Tinubu recalled that during his tenure as the 18th indigenous IGP, Arase championed several key reforms, including the establishment of the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit, and Safer Highway Patrols aimed at improving security across the country.
“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,” the statement quoted the President as saying.
He further highlighted Arase’s contributions as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau, Deputy Inspector-General of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, and later as IGP from April 2015 to June 2016.
Even after retirement, Tinubu noted, Arase remained committed to public service, leading the Police Service Commission, heading the Task Force on the Edo State Anti-Community Development Association Law, and contributing his expertise to security reforms both locally and internationally.
“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,” Tinubu added.
The President commiserated with the Nigeria Police Force, the family, friends, and associates of the late security chief, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
