President Bola Tinubu on Sunday condoled with the Nigeria Police Force and the family of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who died at the age of 69.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Arase as a “highly resourceful officer” whose reforms as IGP and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission brought lasting changes to the force.
Tinubu highlighted some of Arase’s contributions, including the establishment of the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit, and Safer Highway Patrols, noting that these initiatives enhanced policing and national security.
“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 Tinubu as saying.
He further recalled Arase’s service as Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau, Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission after retirement.
Beyond policing, Arase also served in national and international capacities, including consultancy roles with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the European Centre for Electoral Support, and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo. He was also 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,” Tinubu added.
