President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the passing of Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who died on Sunday at the age of 69.
In a heartfelt condolence message, Tinubu described Arase as a distinguished officer, saying that his efforts left an indelible mark on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Tinubu also commiserated with the family, friends, and associates of the late former IGP.
The statement reads in part: “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”.
Recall that reports showed that Arase passed away on Sunday at the Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja following a brief illness.
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase graduated with a Political Science degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1980 and joined the NPF in 1981.
Furthering his academic pursuits, Arase earned a Law degree from the University of Benin, an LL.M. in Corporate Management and Finance Law from Lagos State University, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.
Arase’s career was marked with several roles, including heading the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the NPF’s top intelligence unit.
He also served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of intelligence.
He was appointed as IGP by then-President Goodluck Jonathan in April 2015. After retiring in 2016 at the mandatory age, Arase continued to serve Nigeria. In January 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by President Muhammadu Buhari, a role he held until June 2024 when he was removed by Tinubu.
