Tinubu Mourns Late Former Inspector-General Of Police, Solomon Arase

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the death of the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who passed away at the age of 69.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended his condolences to the Nigeria Police Force, as well as to Arase’s family, friends, and associates.

President Tinubu hailed Arase as a highly resourceful officer whose reforms as Inspector-General of Police and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission brought lasting improvements to policing in Nigeria.

He highlighted Arase’s commitment to strengthening security through key initiatives such as the establishment of the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit, and Safer Highway Patrols.

Reflecting on his remarkable career, Tinubu recalled that Arase served the Nigeria Police Force with distinction from 1981 until his retirement in 2016. He held several critical positions, including Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Principal Staff Officer to three IGPs, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau, and Deputy Inspector-General of Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department. He also participated in United Nations Peacekeeping operations in Namibia.

Beyond active service, Arase continued to contribute to national development, serving as Chairman of the Police Service Commission and leading the Edo State Task Force on the implementation of the Anti-Community Development Association Law. His expertise also extended internationally, with consultancy roles for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the European Centre for Electoral Support, the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo, and membership in the Committee on the Prevention of Torture in Geneva, Switzerland.

President Tinubu described Arase as a patriotic and dedicated security expert whose wealth of experience will be sorely missed.

“I pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of this outstanding officer, who gave so much of his life in service to our country,” the President said.