The Nigeria Police Force has opened a condolence register at its Force Headquarters in Abuja to honour the memory of the late Solomon Arase.
Arase, the 18th Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, passed away on August 31, at 69.
According to a statement on its X account on Monday, the current IG, Kayode Egbetokun, paid heartfelt tribute to the late police chief as senior officers and staff converged at the headquarters to sign the register and pay their respects.
“The Nigeria Police Force has opened a Condolence Register at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for the revered former Police Chief, as senior officers and staff pay their respects.
“In honour of his memory, the Police flag will fly at half-mast in all Commands and Formations nationwide,” the statement read.
The gesture is part of a series of formal remembrances by the service following Arase’s death. (Punch)
A former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, and the Benin Consultative Forum have paid glowing tributes to the late ex-IGP Solomon Arase, who died on Sunday in Abuja at the age of 69.
Ehindero, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, described Arase as a unique Principal Staff Officer, whose exceptional qualities made him indispensable to successive police chiefs.
“There are PSOs and there are PSOs. Solomon was a unique PSO. Ordinarily, when an officer served an incumbent IG, his successor would opt for a new aide. However, Solomon was so outstanding that he served my boss, Tafa Balogun, me, and part of the tenure of Mr. Mike Okiro. He was my PSO from 2005 to 2007 when I was the IGP,” Ehindero said.
He described Arase as humble, loyal, courageous, and fair-minded, noting that his enduring legacies in policing were reflected in his writings and reforms.
“He was an impartial arbiter in matters assigned to him, a man of conviction, and an emblem of principled action. His reputation for excellence and his many publications remain testament to his impact on policing,” Ehindero added.
The former police chief also praised Arase’s role as a mentor and philanthropist, citing his generosity through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation and his de-tribalised approach to leadership.
“Solomon was a remarkable officer from Owan West in Edo State who, through his energy and effort, rose to become the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police. He epitomised hard work, integrity, honesty, and benevolence. We will indeed miss him in this earthly realm,” he said.
Consoling the family, Ehindero wrote: “Solomon has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. At sunrise and sunset, we will always remember him. Adieu, my able PSO.”
Similarly, the Benin Consultative Forum described the late Arase as a towering figure who modernised the Nigerian Police Force through innovative policies and scholarship.
In a statement signed by its Vice President, Samson Osagie, and Secretary-General, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the group said Arase was “an acknowledged intelligence cop within the global security network” whose contributions extended beyond policing to law enforcement reforms and internal security scholarship.
“His life of service also included scholarly enterprise as he strove to put his years of experience in the security and civil relations sectors to the benefit of society with his books, which bore prescriptions of how to advance Nigeria’s internal security and electoral management,” the statement read.
The group noted that Arase’s membership of the Body of Benchers confirmed his unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, the rule of law and service to humanity.
Until his death, Arase was the immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission, where he introduced fresh ideas into police management. He served as the 18th Inspector-General of Police and was widely celebrated for his role in modernising the force. (Punch)
President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the death of the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, CFR, who died on Sunday at 69.
President Tinubu commiserated with the family, friends and associates of the highly resourceful officer. Arase’s reforms as IGP and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission brought lasting changes to the force.
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.
Reflecting on Arase’s laudable service to the country, President Tinubu remarked, “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”. (Vanguard)
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